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21/01/2011
Parades Commission Ridiculed Over Lurgan March
Parading is back on the news agenda in the North today with some commentators branding the official Parades Commission "ridiculous" after it was revealed an illegal republican march in support of a double murderer is to take place this weekend.
Upper Bann DUP MLA Stephen Moutray has urged the Parades Commission to act against the republican rally planned for Lurgan this weekend.
He said the 'Release Martin Corey Campaign' event would be held in the Kilwilkie estate on Sunday.
It is in support of Corey, 60, has been held in Maghaberry since last April after his release-on-licence status was revoked after he was originally handed a life sentence in 1973 after killing two RUC men in the same year. He was released on licence in 1992, having served 19 years.
Republicans have since accused the government of holding Corey as a "political hostage".
However, the Parades Commission confirmed that it had not been notified over this weekend's rally and also that it does not have the power to ban any such event.
The DUP's Stephen Moutray said: "This event has been announced publicly as a 'march'.
"The organisers themselves have stated publicly that the route of this march has not yet been made public.
"The Parades Commission needs to act without delay. Failure to do so will provide further proof of how right the DUP was to work for the abolition of the Parades Commission," said the MLA.
Ulster Unionist Colin McCusker described the situation as "ridiculous" and said that the Orange Order in Lurgan has always abided by the rules that govern parades in this country.
"It is apparent that the authorities are not prepared to tackle the issue of illegal parades.
"We have the ridiculous situation where the Parades Commission do not become involved as they have not been notified of the parade - in effect the parade does not exist in their eyes, so no determination is issued and no monitors asked to attend.
"In the case of Lurgan, it is obvious that Republican Sinn Fein are thumbing their noses at the police by putting up their posters right in front of the Lurgan PSNI station.
"There is no reason why this parade should be allowed to go ahead - it must be stopped," he insisted.
Meanwhile, dissident republican activity has been targeted by the PSNI with the arrest of a 36-year-old man in the Keady area of south Armagh.
The arrest on Thursday was part of a search operation involving detectives from the PSNI serious crime branch.
Army bomb disposal experts were tasked to examine a number of suspect objects during the operation. These have since been removed for examination.
(BMcC/GK)
Upper Bann DUP MLA Stephen Moutray has urged the Parades Commission to act against the republican rally planned for Lurgan this weekend.
He said the 'Release Martin Corey Campaign' event would be held in the Kilwilkie estate on Sunday.
It is in support of Corey, 60, has been held in Maghaberry since last April after his release-on-licence status was revoked after he was originally handed a life sentence in 1973 after killing two RUC men in the same year. He was released on licence in 1992, having served 19 years.
Republicans have since accused the government of holding Corey as a "political hostage".
However, the Parades Commission confirmed that it had not been notified over this weekend's rally and also that it does not have the power to ban any such event.
The DUP's Stephen Moutray said: "This event has been announced publicly as a 'march'.
"The organisers themselves have stated publicly that the route of this march has not yet been made public.
"The Parades Commission needs to act without delay. Failure to do so will provide further proof of how right the DUP was to work for the abolition of the Parades Commission," said the MLA.
Ulster Unionist Colin McCusker described the situation as "ridiculous" and said that the Orange Order in Lurgan has always abided by the rules that govern parades in this country.
"It is apparent that the authorities are not prepared to tackle the issue of illegal parades.
"We have the ridiculous situation where the Parades Commission do not become involved as they have not been notified of the parade - in effect the parade does not exist in their eyes, so no determination is issued and no monitors asked to attend.
"In the case of Lurgan, it is obvious that Republican Sinn Fein are thumbing their noses at the police by putting up their posters right in front of the Lurgan PSNI station.
"There is no reason why this parade should be allowed to go ahead - it must be stopped," he insisted.
Meanwhile, dissident republican activity has been targeted by the PSNI with the arrest of a 36-year-old man in the Keady area of south Armagh.
The arrest on Thursday was part of a search operation involving detectives from the PSNI serious crime branch.
Army bomb disposal experts were tasked to examine a number of suspect objects during the operation. These have since been removed for examination.
(BMcC/GK)
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24 January 2011
Illegal Republican Parade 'Allowed'
Members of the leading loyal order are said to be frustrated over an illegal march in Co Armagh yesterday and news of 'zero' prosecutions or cautions for those participating in any such illegal parades. The Orange Order described this as a "major shift" in policy, which they said, is causing huge frustration among law-abiding Orangemen.
Illegal Republican Parade 'Allowed'
Members of the leading loyal order are said to be frustrated over an illegal march in Co Armagh yesterday and news of 'zero' prosecutions or cautions for those participating in any such illegal parades. The Orange Order described this as a "major shift" in policy, which they said, is causing huge frustration among law-abiding Orangemen.
20 December 2010
Orange Tint To North's Parades Commission
A former senior Orangeman who disagreed with the loyal order's leadership has been appointed to the contentious Parades Commission in the North. Reverend Brian Kennaway will be part of a new commission appointed by the Northern Ireland Office, which will begin operating early next month.
Orange Tint To North's Parades Commission
A former senior Orangeman who disagreed with the loyal order's leadership has been appointed to the contentious Parades Commission in the North. Reverend Brian Kennaway will be part of a new commission appointed by the Northern Ireland Office, which will begin operating early next month.
26 January 2011
Baggott Agrees Illegal Parading Meeting
There's to be a showdown over the way in which the police has been allowing illegal republican parades to take place in the North - while at the same time cracking down on Loyal Order events to make sure they follow the letter of the law under Parading legislation.
Baggott Agrees Illegal Parading Meeting
There's to be a showdown over the way in which the police has been allowing illegal republican parades to take place in the North - while at the same time cracking down on Loyal Order events to make sure they follow the letter of the law under Parading legislation.
17 September 2013
Haass Talks Underway In NI
Dr Richard Haass, a former US diplomat, has begun the first round of talks in Northern Ireland aimed at resolving issues surrounding recent violence and protests in the north. December has been set as the deadline for the publication of reports following a series of talks on issues including parades, flags, and the past.
Haass Talks Underway In NI
Dr Richard Haass, a former US diplomat, has begun the first round of talks in Northern Ireland aimed at resolving issues surrounding recent violence and protests in the north. December has been set as the deadline for the publication of reports following a series of talks on issues including parades, flags, and the past.
02 August 2010
Adams Meets Loyalist Parades Group
There's to be a 'groundbreaking' cross community meeting over parades in the North today. Gerry Adams is to meet the North and West Belfast Parades Forum along with Gerry Kelly, the North Belfast Sinn Fein MLA and Stormont Junior Minister as well as other party colleagues.
Adams Meets Loyalist Parades Group
There's to be a 'groundbreaking' cross community meeting over parades in the North today. Gerry Adams is to meet the North and West Belfast Parades Forum along with Gerry Kelly, the North Belfast Sinn Fein MLA and Stormont Junior Minister as well as other party colleagues.
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Ireland WeatherToday:Showers today, occasional north and west of Lough Neagh, but only a few isolated light outbreaks expected for Belfast and county Down where the best of the winter sunshine is expected. West to northwest winds brisk around the coasts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers focused across northern areas of the Province, with most in the south staying dry, with a frost developing for many here. Northwest winds fresh around the coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
