First loyalist parades pass off without incident in North

The first of this year's parades by the loyal orders have passed off peacefully.

The first of this year's parades by the loyal orders have passed off peacefully.

Easter Monday marches and rallies, traditionally organised by the Apprentice Boys of Derry, took place without incident.

Some 60 parades from a range of organisations were notified to the Parades Commission, which has ruled on marches since 1997.

Fifty-one marches were notified by the Apprentice Boys, with the main rally at Ballymena, Co Antrim, where more than 4,000 marchers and some 40 bands attended. Only five parades, three in Belfast and one each in Maghera, Co Derry, and Castlederg, Co Tyrone, were deemed contentious.

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Security was low-key as so-called feeder parades of Apprentice Boys proceeded along the Ormeau Road in south Belfast as well as at Ardoyne in the north of the city, and near Short Strand in east Belfast where there were small protests.

Broadway Club passed Mountpottinger Road in Short Strand where some residents had gathered to protest.

At Ardoyne, the scene of serious rioting last summer on July 12th, the Ligoniel Walkers passed another protest of about 100 residents. Parades Commission chairman Roger Poole was on hand to witness events.

Marchers had been confined to walking in file to the sound of a single drumbeat without music and with flags and banners furled. Rules governing the counter-protest had also been issued.

Mr Poole said afterwards he was encouraged by the behaviour of marchers and residents, calling it "a very good day".

"I thought it was a very, very dignified parade and a very, very dignified protest. I think that it bodes well for the future," he told BBC Radio Ulster.

"That's what we asked for today. That's what we got. People are talking to us and I hope we can get to a point where people can start talking to one another as well."

The Parades Commission was reconstituted last November under Mr Poole's chairmanship with two Orange members from Portadown, Co Armagh, among the membership. Their acceptance of appointment was in contravention with Orange order policy, which is opposed to the body.

The new commission unanimously turned down the last application by the Portadown lodge to parade along the nationalist Garvaghy Road.

Portadown Orangemen have applied to parade again from Drumcree along the Garvaghy Road at the end of this month. A ruling is expected on Wednesday.

Mr Poole's optimism for the coming marching season follows a troubled summer which culminated in serious and protracted violence last September after the Whiterock parade was postponed and re-routed in west Belfast.

This year's march and another controversial parade, the Tour of the North, are scheduled to take place in Belfast within the next two months.

The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland began internal consultation on parades policy last February. It has also agreed to hold talks with the SDLP.

Yesterday also saw three republican parades connected with Easter Rising ceremonies.