A JOINT press statement was issued last night by representatives of Bellaghy's Royal Black Preceptory and the Bellaghy Concerned Residents' Association confirming that agreement had been reached on the routing and format of the parade by Blackmen in the town next Saturday.
According to the statement, the delegations held a series of meetings. At the final meeting last night, an agreement had been signed by representatives of the two groups.
It was hoped by all involved that, as a result of agreement being reached, no more than a minimal RUC presence would be required on Saturday. The statement also expressed the hope that the parade would pass off peacefully.
Meanwhile, attempts are continuing to reach an accommodation between the Royal Black Institution and nationalist residents over a series of parades planned for other towns across the North on Saturday.
Controversial marches are due to take place in Cookstown, Strabane and Pomeroy, Co Tyrone; and Newry, Co Down.
In Pomeroy, about 50 Royal Black Institution members and a band want to march down Main Street. Mr Richard Reid said that the institution had already made generous compromises and he accused a nationalist residents' group of moving the goal posts. He said: "We want only to walk down Main Street, which is 50 per cent Protestant. We don't object when a Catholic band marches down on St Patrick's Day."
Mr Reid confirmed that the preceptory was refusing to talk to the residents' organisation, which he claimed was a Sinn Fein front.
Strabane Concerned Residents' Group intends to block a Royal Black Institution parade through Abercorn Square. The group wrote to the preceptory requesting talks to discuss the routing of the march, but had received no reply.