Category Archives: STOP ORANGE WALKS NOW
MINISTER REMOVED FROM TWO CHURCHES
A FORMER senior Ongeman has been removed as minister of two Presbyterian churches. The Reverend Stephen Dickinson, who was minister of Cairnalbana and Glenarm in Co Atrim, was formally removed last week.
In a highly unusaul move, all of Cairnalbana’s church elders were also removed.
Mr Dickinson is a former deputy grand master and grand chaplain of the Orange Order. He left the organization in 2011, claiming it had ” betrayed its roots “. Two years earlier, he had set up the hard line independent group ‘ Orange Reformation ‘, which campaigned to ” put Protestantiim back into Orangeism “. A spokesman for the PPresbyterian Church said Rev Dickinson, was still an ordained Presbyterian minister. Rev Dickinson can remain in the manse for a time and will receive his church salary for the next 18 months. In a statement, the Presbyterian Church said : ” Ongoing disputes and the breaking down of good relationships in Cairnalbana congregation over several years have caused much annoyance, sadness and upset for all involved. ” Since the Kirk Session first asked for assistance in the autumn 2009 the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has made every effort to restore those good relationships.” The Church’s most senior body, the judicial commission, found that relationships between Rev Dickinson, the elders and congregation had not improved since 2009. The commission decided that because of poor relations within the church, Mr Dickinson could not properly perform his duties as a minister.
With many thanks to : Claire Simpson,Irish News.
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DUP MP NIGEL DODDS CALL’S ARDOYNE FIANNA ” CHILD EXPLORATION & GLORIFYING PARAMILITARY ACTIVITIES AND VIOLENCE ‘ !
” So Mr Dodds and Nelson McCauseland : ” What the fuck do you call this ? ” Are you going to condemned the exploitation of children glorifying paramilitary activities and violence on the fucking Orange side too ???
Child exploration has been happening within the Orange Order for many many years.
SECOND PARADE PROTEST APPLICATION !
A SECOND nationalist residents group has lodged an application to hold a protest during a parade at a North Belfast flashpoint on Monday. Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective (GARC) want to demonstrate as up to 100 Apprentice Boys and a march past the Nationalist area.
The Crumlin and Ardoyne Residents Association has already been given permission to hold a protest numbering 100 people. GARC spokesman Dee Fennell said the ddecision on a second protest was taken after consultation with residents. ” We carried out a number of consultations and had a meeting to consider going through proper channels or just go ahead because that’s what loyalists have been doing,” he said. ” For our part, GARC remain fully committed to having dialogue with any and all the loyal orders, either face to face or through agreed intermediaries, in order that they get a representive feeling of the vast majority of Greater Ardoyne Residents – that no sectarian marches are welcome.” A spokesman for the Parades Commission said GARC’s application will be considered today.
WITH MANY THANKS TO : Connia Young, Irish News.
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RESIDENTS MAY DEFY PARADES BODY AND PROTEST
” Why parishioners not allowed to stand outside their own church when the leadership of the UVF can stand outside it ” ? - Frank Dempsey.
NORTH Belfast nationalists will tonight decide wwhether to defy a ban on holding a protest outside a Catholic Church during a controversial Apprentice Boys parade. People living in Carrick Hill reacted angrily after the Parades Commission restricted the location of proposed protests as marchers pass the flashpoint St Patrick‘s Church and nearby nationalist homes on Easter Monday.
Protests at a car park opposite the city centre church and at Clifton Street are limited to 30 people. A request to sstand directly outside St Patrick’s – the parish church of many of the protesters – was turned down. The commission was criticised last week for permitting Apprentice Boys to take one band and 60 members along the disputed route. Although bandsmen will be allowed to play loyalist tunes while passing Carrick Hill they will be restricted to a single drum beat when passing St Patrick’s on Donegall Street, the scene of violence surrounding parades last summer. Residents spokesman Frank Dempsey last night said his community might decide to ignore the commission both on where protets are held and the numbers taking part. Referring to previous parades pasr St Patrick’s, he asked : ” Why are parishioners not allowed to stand outside their own church when the leadership of the UVF can stand outside it ?’”
Mr Dempsey said that before coming to a decision people in the area will consider comments Cheif ConstableM Matt Baggott made during the Union Flag protests. He said ” People are asking Do we really have to go near the Parades Commission given what Matt Baggott said in January that anyone is entitled to a peaceful protest ?” ” Resident groups are abiding by determinations and the Loyal Orders don’t even consult witb the Parades Commission and then break their determinations. ” Then they are rewarded in places like Carrick Hill, Ardoyne and Short Strand.” The commission has also been criticised for allowing the Apprentice Boys to march past Ardoyne interface despite having turned down an offer to meet residents.
SDLP councillor Nichola Mallon said an ” apparent lack of consistency ” in the commission’s decisions was a sourse of frusration. It needed to explain its reasoning better, she said. ” Residents in Carrick Hill are asking me why, when the commission deemed the route past St Patrick’s controversial and reflected this in its determination on the parade, are they not allowed to peacefully protest at this spot outside the church ?” She said. Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly said : ” Wwithout dialogue from the loyal orders, with either the residents or the Parades Commission , parades should not get the go-ahead.” The commission declined to comment. Police said : ” The PSNI does not discuss operational procedures ahead of any event. However, any event will be monitored and all appropriate advice given and action taken where necessary. ” All parades and protests are policed appropriately and in accordance with Parades Commission determination.”
With many thanks to : Connia Young, Irish News.
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BANDSMAN ADMITS ASSULT DURING MARCH PAST CHURCH
THE YCV BAND MARCH IN CIRCLES AS THEY PLAY SECTARIAN‘ SONG’S OUTSIDE St Patrick’s Church ON THE TWELFH LAST YEAR
A LOYALIST bandsman caught on camera assaulting a Nationalist observer at a loyalist parade past a Catholic Church has admitted the offence. William Bell (48), known as Billy, confrounted JJ Magee outside St Patrick‘s Church in central Belfast on the Twelfth of July last year.
Bell waved a club-shaped stick at Mr Magee who was filming the Shan kill Road-based YCV band marching in circles playing the sectarian Famine Song ooutside the church doors. The song, which contains anti-Catholic and anti-Irish lyrics, is sung by Glasgow Rangers supporters and loyalists. The bands actions raised tensions in the area, leading to violent scenes during loyal order parades later in the summer. Mr Magee, who is a member of Sinn Fein, filmed the bands behaviour on his mobile phone after monitoring the parade as it passed the nearby nationalist Carrick Hill district. Bell was a ‘ side walker ‘ – someone who accompanies the band while not playing an instrument.
According to theband’s website, the letters in their name ( YCV) stand for Young Conway Volunteers. They say they formed in 2007 for the ” preservation and promotion ” of the memory of Thomas Skinner – a former member of UVF youth wing the Young Citizen Volunteers who died in 2003. After pleading guilty to common assault at Belfast Magistrates Court on Friday, Bell – of Fifth Street, off Belfast Shan kill Road – was bound over to keep the peace for 12 months and fined £500. Mr Magee, who previously described the episode as ” frightening “, last night welcomed the ruling. ” It’s good to see justice done and this guy brought before the courts and I think it was a good day for our society, ” he said. Belfast Sinn Fein councillor Connor Maskey said : ” The prosecution of this loyalist thug exposes the nature of what happened outside St Patrick’s Church that day and the sectarianism should always be challenged wherever it raises its ugly head.”
WITH MANY THANKS TO : Connia Young, Irish News.
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” ONE SIDED NATURE OF POLICING ” !
APPEALS DECISION SLAMMED !
THE FAILURE BY members of an Ardoyne residents group to overturn their convictions for staging a sit-down protest during a disputed Orange Order parade highlights the one-sided nature of Policing against republicans, a spokesman for the group has said.
Yesterday ( Wednesday 16th May ) eight men, including some members of Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective (GARC), had their appeals against conviction in relation to a sit-down protest on the Crumlin Road last July rejected. The eight, including GARC spokesman Dee Fennell, were ordered to pay the £400 fines imposed in December last year. So far a total of 28 people have been convicted in relation to the blockade, which preceded three days of violence in the area. Speaking to the North Belfast News yesterday Fennell said the failure of the appeal brings into focus the comparatively low number of arrests in relation to recent high profile loyalist protests,
including the December 2010 protest outside Belfast City Hall over a decision by Sinn Fein mayor Niall O’ Donnghaile not to present an army cadet with an award, anddisturbances during the loyalist Tour of the North Parade in June 2011 when loyalist protesters were seen climbing on Police vans and drinking in the street. ” This just clearly shows the one-sided nature of Policing of parades here,” said Fennell. ” Loyalists seem to be able to protest willy-nilly yet when a group of nationalists hold a peaceful, non-violent sit-down protest against a Orange Order parade they are dragged through the courts. It highlights the continuing demonstration and criminalization of the Ardoyne community.
So far there have been no arrests for the protest at Belfast City Hall because police say no formal statements of complaint were made. There have also been no arrests for the Tour of the North disturbances. A police spokesman also confirmed that there had been no arrests in connection with a 2010 loyalist blockade at the enterance to the Asda supermarket on the Shore Road in support of Asda worker Billy Hunter who was saked for allegedly making a sectarian comment. He subsequently got his job back. Furthermore,there has only been one youth charged in connection with rioting in Rathcoole in October 2010. ” Nationalists have the right to protest peacefully against unwanted loyalist parades in their area, but this is not reflected by the Policing.”
The police spokesman said they ” always seek to make policing decisions to the benefit of the entire community”. ” We do recognise that sometimes policing decisions can be controversial but we would again assure people that any decisions we take are based upon the prevailing need at the time and with the intention of preventing any harm to the community,” he said. Dee Fennell said the eight who failed in their appeal are willing to go to jail rather than pay the fines. He added that GARC will continue to stage peaceful protests against Orange Order parades through Ardoyne. The eight men who appealed were Dee Fennell; Daniel Lundy; John Darragh; Paul Carson; Alan Lundy; William Catney; Robert Jackson and Aiden Ferguson.
WITH THANKS TO : GEMMA BURNS, NORTH BELFAST NEWS.
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NO PAYMENT DETAILS FOR PARADES INITIATIVE LEADER !
Lord John Alderdice is examining if progress can be made ahead of the controversial Twelfth parade in Ardoyne in July. It is part of ongoing attempts to avoid a repetition of the violence seen in recent years during the marching season. Last year the violence following the Orange Order parade past nationalist homes in Ardoyne lasted for four days. With only eight weeks until July 12, no resolution between nationalists and the Orange Order has been met. The North Belfast News understands Lord Alderdice has only met with nationalists parades group Crumlin Roadand Ardoyne Residents’ Association (CARA),
once since the announcement of his involvement in the parading issues last month, giving rise to fears no agreement will be made and lead to a repeat of previous years’ violence clashes. A spokesman for the Parades Commission refused to say how much the former Alliance party is being paid to carry out his role. ” The Parades Commission invited Lord Alderdice to examine if progress could be made or agreement reached around parading in Ardoyne,” he said, ” To date he has had a number of meetings with different groups in different formats and more are planned. In asking him to carry out this work the Commission acknowledged Lord Alderdice’s international reputation in community relations and peace-building and agreed he should be remunerated for the hours spent on this work at a level appropriate to his experience,” he said.
WITH THANKS TO : GEMMA BURNS, NORTH BELFAST NEWS.
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‘Ardoyne-style talks’ wanted at Drumcree
Craigavon Council is set to ask the Parades’ Commission to set up a new initiative – similar to one in north Belfast‘s Ardoyne – aimed at resolving the long-running Drumcree dispute in Portadown.
Orange Order parades have been banned from the Garvaghy Road since 1998 but, while violent scenes of the past have not been replicated in recent years, weekly protests are still held by members of Portadown District.
“I know there’s a small number of people who think that the problem has gone away,” the Ulster Unionist Party‘s Colin McCusker said, having put forward a motion on the issue on Tuesday night.
“But for the 900 members of Portadown District, their families and supporters, this problem still persists.
“We’ve had over 5,000 protests now – it’s still ongoing and I want to see a resolution to it.”
But according to the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition, the issue has already been resolved.
Spokesman Breandan MacCionnaith told UTV: “Coming from the viewpoint of this community, Drumcree has been solved.
“There have been many initiatives over the years – I can’t see what another one’s going to bring to the table.”
He added: “The Orange Order knows that they have a perfectly acceptable, viable route to take them back from Drumcree church into the town centre.”
But Portadown’s District Master Darryl Hewitt disagrees.
“I think any dispute, if one side is not happy with the outcome, then the situation hasn’t been resolved,” he said.
Portadown District certainly are not happy with the current situation and we seek to get a resolution that suits everybody – we have said for these past five years that we’re willing to meet anybody with no pre-conditions.
“And that includes the Garvaghy Road residents.”
The UUP’s motion that the council write to the Parades’ Commission was backed by the DUP and Alliance Party, but opposed by Sinn Féin and the SDLP.
SDLP councillor Joe Nelson said that his party didn’t feel that mediation had worked in the past.
“Unless there’s some new and radical thinking coming forward, we don’t believe that the north Belfast model is particularly going to work in Portadown,” he added.
The motion was passed by majority vote and a letter will be sent to the Parades’ Commission.
WITH MANY THANKS TO : UTV News
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Alderdice to lead Ardoyne parades talks
Talks between residents’ groups and parade bodies in north Belfast are set to be held in a bid to resolve the ongoing dispute over parading in the Ardoyne area.
The discussions will be chaired by former Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker Lord Alderdice, supported by local church leaders Fr Gary Donegan from Holy Cross and Dr Norman Hamilton from Ballysillan Presbyterian.
The Crumlin and Ardoyne Residents Association (CARA) and the North and West Belfast Parades and Cultural Forum have initially been invited to participate.
“The purpose of this initiative is to explore those issues which have impeded agreement to date and to make a fresh effort at seeking a more sustainable solution to parading at this location,” Parades Commission Chairman Peter Osborne said.
It is important to recognise and acknowledge the efforts of those involved in previous processes and I appreciate the work both the Forum and CARA have undertaken so far in attempting to make progress on this issue.
Peter Osborne, Parades Commission
“We are sure that, given his recognised local and international experience, Lord Alderdice is someone in whom both parties can have confidence.
“I am encouraged that in this initiative he will be supported by Gary and Norman, who have significant local experience and knowledge, real local standing and respect.”
Mr Osborne also paid tribute to the efforts made on both sides so far and recognised that the work still to be done would be “difficult and challenging”.
Violence has broken out in the Ardoyne area in the wake of Twelfth of July celebrations in recent years, with the trouble lasting for four days in 2010.
Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast Gerry Kelly said he welcomed the initiative, but that the onus was on the Orange Order to engage in meaningful dialogue with both the local community and the Parades Commission.
“In the week the Orange Order received significant amounts of EU funding to contribute to peace building and reconciliation, their continuing refusal to talk to local nationalist communities is even more untenable,” he said.
However, DUP Upper Bann MP David Simpson hit out at the Parades Commission and accused the body of “rewarding” those who don’t engage in discussions – referring particularly to the ongoing dispute at Drumcree.
“We now have this new initiative in Ardoyne. When will we have some move in Portadown?” he said.
WITH MANY THANKS TO : UTV News.
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Orange parade ‘sets tone’ for centenaries
A major unionist parade through Belfast on Saturday could set the tone for other sensitive commemorations, the Parades Commission says.
The march, organised by the Orange Order and the Unionist Centenary Committee, marks the 100th anniversary of rally to Balmoral, opposing the proposed Home Rule Bill of 1912.
Celebrations got underway in Ormeau Park on Friday, but some concerns have been raised after it was revealed former paramilitaries will march alongside Orangemen and Apprentice Boys.
Police expect around 60 bands and more than 5,500 supporters to take part – but organisers say it has the potential to be bigger than the 12th July celebrations.
“It’s a major day for the whole unionist community as it starts the public commemorations of our Ulster covenant events”, said Mervyn Gibson.
“It will be the same atmosphere, people out to watch and enjoy themselves and we want everybody to have a good day so we hope it will mirror the Twelfth in many respects.”
The first parade will set off from Ballynafeigh in the Ormeau area at 9am. It will wind its way through Stranmillis before arriving at Sandy Row in south Belfast just before 10am.
Marchers will set off Sandy Row at 10am and also from Clifton Park Avenue and Shankill Road in north Belfast at the same time.
The parades will make their way to Donegall Street in the city centre before merging. All bands and marchers will then parade through the city towards Ormeau Park.
Marchers will then return along the same routes in afternoon parades beginning at 4pm.
It is understood that loyalists will not take part in the return parades as a “gesture” to nationalists who had raised concerns about trouble at interface areas.
However, while the parade will not travel along the mainly nationalist area of the Lower Ormeau Road, it has, in the past, been a flashpoint for trouble.
Community leaders have told UTV they have held talks with parade organisers and remain confident that everything has been done to ensure the day passes off without incident.
A spokesperson for the Parades Commission said: “The Balmoral Review parade has the potential to set the tone for how other events are approached and perceived.”
The Commission said they acknowledged “the work undertaken by many in the build-up to the Balmoral Review parade” and said it hoped “all parties involved will mark the event with respect for not just the past, but for the present and each other.”
Meanwhile, motorists are being warned of traffic delays the parades take place, with police saying they will do their utmost to keep disruption to a minimum.
WITH MANY THANKS TO : UTV News.
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