Tradition of marches

Loyalists Curb March Plans

A Royal Black Preceptory church parade next Sunday and a second at the end of the month before a big demonstration in Lurgan, Co. Armagh will stop short of the area.

Leaders of the City of Belfast Grand Black Chapter said the decision was made "under regrettable duress" because they feared there could trouble by nationalists opposed to the marches.

Members of the Ballynafeigh district had planned to parade down the lower Ormeau Road to a city centre church service next Sunday. The second was due on August 30 which effectively marks the end of the Loyalist marching season.

But after talks with police chiefs they agreed to advice to stop at the Ormeau Bridge and stay away from an area where a number of other traditional loyal order parades by the Orange Order and Apprentice Boys have already been halted and re-routed this summer.

The decision by the Ballynafeigh men was described by the Belfast leadership as "responsible and courageous".

In a statement they said: "It is with extreme sadness we have been made aware that some sections of our fellow citizens would appear determined to once again deny us our civil and religious liberties through the implied threat of potential public disorder, being obviously unaware of the aims and objectives of our Christian institution."

They added: "Nevertheless, as good, loyal and concerned citizens for the well being of our esteemed province and in the best interests of our capital city, as a gesture of Christian goodwill with malice to none, we have decided under regrettable duress, to submit to police advice on our traditional parades for the current year."