Peaceful start to North's marching season

The first Orange parade of the marching season, the "Tour of the North" parade has passed off peacefully in Belfast tonight, …

The first Orange parade of the marching season, the "Tour of the North" parade has passed off peacefully in Belfast tonight, fulfilling hopes that the violent clashes that broke out last year would not be repeated.

Politicians and churchmen came together to work out a compromise at the Ardoyne flashpoint where last year marchers and protesters clashed with each other and police.

Nationalist protesters stoned loyalist marchers and up to 20 people, including police officers, were hurt in 2005 as petrol bombs, and other missiles were thrown. The area remained tense for several weeks afterwards.

There is a tremendous desire to see this work
Fr Aidan Troym Ardoyne parish priest.

The Parades Commission, which can issue legally binding instructions on routes, decided against intervening this year in light of an agreement that locals in Ardoyne would hold a low-key demonstration when the parade passes.

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In return, marchers  undertook to not display banners or play music when they pass through the staunchly nationalist area.

Ardoyne parish priest, Fr Aidan Troy, told The Irish Timeslast night that the mood was one of hope. "There is a tremendous desire to see this work," he said.

Ulster Unionist parades spokesman Michael Copeland said the compromise meant the right to march and the right to protest was being accommodated.

The DUP have also called for both parties to respect each others' entitlements.

It has been speculated that violence could follow the event and Sinn Féin local councillor Carál Ní Chuilín warned that Ardoyne was not the only interface. He said Duncairn Gardens had been a flashpoint in the past and there had been no ruling from the Parades Commission on this and other areas.