A Love Ulster rally planned for next month in Dublin has been called off. Dan Keenan, Northern News Editor, reports.
Organisers told The Irish Timeslast night that there "was no need" for the demonstration in support of unionist victims of the Troubles because their concerns were now being adequately addressed politically by the Government.
The first rally ended in serious rioting along O'Connell Street in February last year.
The decision follows a meeting between Willie Frazer, organiser of Families Acting for Innocent Relatives (Fair), DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern.
Talks lasting well over an hour at Ballymascanlon in Co Louth were described by both sides as positive and productive.
Mr Ahern said last night the meeting was focused on the past and "how best to move forward".
"Victims of the past is one of the few outstanding issues of the peace process, and the consultative group chaired by Lord Eames and Denis Bradley is currently looking at this area, seeking a broad consensus on the way forward. I hope to meet with Eames and Bradley shortly."
Mr Frazer said he was now confident the Government recognised the needs of victims of republican violence, and he believed "that people are now genuinely looking at both sides of the story. Actions speak louder than words but [ the Government] are now looking at our concerns, which is all we asked for in the first place."
Procedures have been agreed between Fair and Mr Ahern's department to ensure regular and open communication. Mr Frazer said the Government would also examine the question of the Libyan supply of arms to republicans during the Troubles. He hopes for increased Irish diplomatic pressure on Libya over the issue.
Mr Frazer said the meeting was "frank". "We told them where we stood and they acknowledged that. They understand the suffering of the unionist community in Border areas." Mr Frazer said he thought Mr Ahern's affinity with Border areas contributed to the meeting's sense of purpose, but he did admit to a certain surprise at the meeting's outcome regarding the Dublin rally.
"We didn't expect them to be as up front as they were and I didn't expect to be able to call it off. We got straight answers. Mr Ahern understood where we were coming from. He was firm but frank and the outcome is that we won't be proceeding."
Both sides confirmed the question of government funding was mentioned, but no commitments were made. Fair believes the Government has shown more support for "republican organisations rather than unionist ones".
Mr Ahern welcomed the decision not to proceed with another Love Ulster rally, although he stressed the right to free assembly "in our capital city".
"I am pleased that the Love Ulster organisers have come to the view that dialogue at the political level could be a more constructive way to take forward victims' concerns than a public demonstration."