GARC displaying '˜intolerance' over possible parade deal

Dissident republicans in Ardoyne have been accused of 'intolerance' following door-to-door visits encouraging residents to reject any agreed initiative to end the on-going parading impasse.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Jul 2016, 18:26 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 18:09 BST
Twaddell protest campTwaddell protest camp
Twaddell protest camp

There had been hope of a deal between the Crumlin Ardoyne Residents Association (CARA) and the Orange Order’s Ligoniel lodges – that would have allowed a small Orange parade along the contested section of Belfast’s Crumlin Road – but negotiations broke down ahead of a planned press conference on June 27.

A determination by the Parades Commission has prevented the three lodges from completing the homeward leg of their Twelfth parade since July 2013. Loyalists responded by setting up a protest camp at Twaddell Avenue and it is understood the deal would have led to the dismantling of the camp.

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However, the Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective (GARC) group – which rivals the Sinn-Fein backed CARA – is vehemently opposed to the proposal which was outlined at a public meeting in Ardoyne last week.

Since then, GARC have been distributing leaflets which they claim informs residents “of our rejection of any UVF/SF (Sinn Fein) deal that rewards Loyal Order bigotry”.

DUP MLA William Humphrey said: “These people are just intolerant. They have no respect for the Orange Institution, or indeed the wider community at all. I want everyone who is going on Tuesday to have a peaceful day and an enjoyable Twelfth.”

“Northern Ireland is a changed society and people need to learn and respect each other’s traditions.”