Maguiresbridge shootings: Royal Black Preceptories praised after cancelling parades across Fermanagh
One of the loyal orders has been praised after it cancelled parades right across Co Fermanagh today in light of last week's tragedy in the county.
Members of the The Royal Black Institution (RBI) across Fermanagh were due to take part in their annual parades to and from church services yesterday but cancelled them out of respect, following the murders of Vanessa Whyte and her children James and Sara in Maguiresbridge on Wednesday.
It is understood the parades were due to take place in Lisnaskea, Brookeborough, Irvinestown, a joint parade for Lisbellaw and Maguiresbridge, Kesh, Necarne, Letterbreen, Rosslea and Derrygonnelly.
The news follows the decision by the Defenders of the Rock Flute band to cancel their annual parade on Saturday evening in Lisbellaw, where 35 bands, 1,000 participants and 500 supporters were expected.
The RBI parades were also called off, however the church services did proceed without the parades.
A source in the RBP told the News Letter: “Basically word came down from County Grand Royal Black Chapter on Thursday to all preceptories in the county and it was agreed by every member it was the right thing to do, as a mark of respect.
“All parades would be cancelled. The actual church services went ahead as they normally do with sir knights attending and wearing their collarettes, but of course there were no parades or bands. Prayers for the bereaved families of the tragedy were said at all the church services.”
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine said the decision to cancel the parades was “a respectful and dignified response to the tragic events in Maguiresbridge”.
She added: “The sense of shock and deep loss is felt right across our community. At this time, everyone is holding this family and the wider Maguiresbridge community in their thoughts and prayers.”
TUV culture spokesman councillor Matthew Warwick also praised the loyal order for its decision.
“Once again, the loyal orders have demonstrated that they are at the heart of local communities, showing compassion, generosity, and respect to their neighbours – regardless of community background,” he said.
Meanwhile, DUP founding member Wallace Thompson praised the cross-community response to the tragedy.
“For all the unspeakable horror of the murders in Maguiresbridge, there’s something cathartic about the cross-community response,” he said on Facebook.
"Coming so soon after so much sectarian tension and division, there is light in the Maguiresbridge darkness which offers hope. And the honourable decision by the Defenders of the Rock flute band to cancel their parade [on Saturday] has surely set a standard of decency and mutual respect which others must follow.”