Maskey urges calm on eve of 'Twelfth' parades

Belfast's Sinn Féin Lord Mayor Mr Alex Maskey has appealed for calm on the eve of the Twelfth Orange marches, saying he was concerned…

Belfast's Sinn Féin Lord Mayor Mr Alex Maskey has appealed for calm on the eve of the Twelfth Orange marches, saying he was concerned there could be widespread street violence.

Mr Maskey today met representatives from nationalist and unionist parties to urge them to use their influence to prevent trouble in interface areas.

"I'm aware that there is concern and worry out in our community and that there is perhaps a dangerous of cocktail of circumstances out there.

"I'm urging people to exercise political leadership by asking for calm and restraint.

READ MORE

"We do know that in many of these areas in particular east Belfast, a huge human cost has been paid with recent interface conflict."

Earlier, members of Mr Maskey's own party met the Parades Commission to demand a review of its decision to allow two contentious parades through nationalist areas of north and west Belfast.

Mr Maskey said he did not want to go into specific cases but said that all sides, including the Orange Order and nationalist residents' groups must act responsibly.

"Obviously Orangemen have their own culture and I want them to enjoy and celebrate it. Unfortunately we don't have agreement about all of these marches.

"We need to have a security presence and that means different things in different areas."

There are fears that parades along the Springfield Road in west Belfast and past the Ardoyne Road in north Belfast tomorrow may erupt into serious disorder.

Last year, there was major rioting at Ardoyne when nationalists attacked the police as the Orangemen returned from the main demonstration in south Belfast.

In the west of the city, the Springfield Residents' Action Group has withdrawn an application to protest at tomorrow's Orange parade, leading to fears of a repeat of two weeks' ago, when an unmarshalled nationalist crowd attacked the security forces after a "Mini Twelfth" parade.

SDLP Assembly member for West Belfast Mr Alex Attwood said the group's withdrawal of its application was unhelpful.

"In the longer term the interests of the nationalist community, particularly those who do not agree with certain parades, is not advanced by refusing to accept the determinations of the Parades Commission," he said.

Meanwhile, North Belfast Democratic Unionist Party MP Mr Nigel Dodds was leading a party delegation to meet police chiefs to seek assurances about security over the Twelfth holiday period.

Mr Dodds is calling for adequate resources on the ground to deal with any violent opposition to Orange parades.

"I am anxious that police have enough resources to deal with any eventuality as quickly as possible. They must ensure the rights of law abiding citizens to live and conduct their daily business in a normal way and take action against anyone bent on causing trouble or disruption," he said.

PA