Resolution to years-long Ardoyne parades impasse '˜was very close'

A resolution to the Ardoyne parade dispute was close, community workers and political leaders have said.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Jul 2016, 08:22 BST
Updated 13th Jul 2016, 09:25 BST
Bandsmen and members of the Orange Order pictured at a PSNI barrier at the Woodvale Road in North Belfast after the main 12th of July parades took place across Northern IrelandBandsmen and members of the Orange Order pictured at a PSNI barrier at the Woodvale Road in North Belfast after the main 12th of July parades took place across Northern Ireland
Bandsmen and members of the Orange Order pictured at a PSNI barrier at the Woodvale Road in North Belfast after the main 12th of July parades took place across Northern Ireland

Talks between the Orange Order and nationalist residents in Ardoyne failed in the last few days before the Twelfth.

Ardoyne has been a byword for violence on the Twelfth of July for many years, a volatile community interface with rioting loyalists or republicans separated by police.

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Officers paid the price in near-severed ears and fingers from flying masonry or other missiles hurled by angry mobs. A bystander was knocked down by a car driver last year.

Yesterday morning’s feeder parade by three Orange lodges attending the main Belfast event was peaceful but the Order knew that it again would not be able to return the way it came, past the Ardoyne shops flashpoint.

Sinn Fein North Belfast Stormont Assembly member Gerry Kelly said: “Recently the residents and the Orange were very close to a resolution of this very long-running issue around parades and protests and I hope that can be returned to in the near future.

“Certainly I do not want to be standing here for the next five years and I don’t want the next generation to be going through any tension around the parading season.”

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Republican protesters in Ardoyne chanted and held slogans proclaiming the loyal order was not welcome during the minutes it took them to pass down the Crumlin Road and past the shop fronts.

A long line of police, riot trained but without batons or shields, separated the two.

A drummer in the flute band hit the instrument enthusiastically just yards away. Orangemen in their Twelfth finery looked at the residents without speaking. Some were close enough to shake each other’s hands.

Last night’s security operation – the largest and costliest security operation of the day – ensured air support, specialist firearms teams, water cannons and baton rounds were available if needed.

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Yesterday morning, the Crumlin Ardoyne Residents Association (CARA) held a counter protest comprising of 60 people.

There was a separate picket from the hardline Greater Ardoyne Residents’ Collective (GARC) which was widely blamed for orchestrating disorder during previous years and has vowed on social media to “mobilise hundreds” again.

Mr Kelly said there was a calmer mood and that was reflected during Monday night’s loyalist bonfire lighting.

PSNI assistant chief constable Stephen Martin said the parading season had got off to a good start with no violence at other contentious marches like the Tour of the North, Whiterock, Somme commemoration and Easter events.

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North Belfast priest Fr Gary Donegan said it was important people resumed dialogue.

“It has to be solved by the community, so whatever possible solutions are there it has to be put to the community and it has to be agreed by the community.”