Hardline loyalists have vowed to continue protesting outside the Catholic church in Harryville, Ballymena, Co Antrim, throughout a second winter, ending hopes that the suspension of Saturday evening Masses during the summer months had resolved the situation.
Up to 170 people protested outside Our Lady's Church on Saturday as 6 p.m. Mass was celebrated. No serious violence resulted, but stones and bottles were thrown at RUC Land-Rovers and abuse was shouted at parishioners. There was a strong police presence in the area. The protests, which began last October in response to marches by loyal orders being banned in the nationalist village of Dunloy, continued for 41 weeks.
Saturday evening Mass resumed at the church two weeks ago on the day of Princess Diana's funeral and protesters said they would not picket the church as a mark of respect to her. The contentious Orange march through Dunloy was again due to take place last Sunday and no protest was held the previous evening. On Sunday, the RUC prevented the Orangemen from marching through the village, where residents have been calling for talks with the loyal orders.
A DUP activist taking part in the protest blamed the RUC. "They could have ended this last Sunday. They only have themselves to blame," he said.
More than 40 people have appeared in court on charges arising out of disturbances in Harryville since the protest began. The SDLP's North Antrim representative, Mr Sean Farren, who attended the Mass, said the protest was "futile" and would "only perpetuate a sense of bitterness and damage community relations" in the area. He said he hoped the people behind it would consider "the need for a calm atmosphere throughout the community" in the run-up to political negotiations.