Curran ‘relieved’ at peaceful Newry Orange parade
Newry Sinn Féin Councillor Brendan Curran has said he is relieved that yesterday’s sensitive parade in Newry passed off relatively peacefully but he again challenged the Orange Order to meet residents and elected representatives.
Speaking to Newry Times, Curran stated, “I went down to observe part of the Orange march yesterday and thankfully from what I saw there did not appear to be any breaches of the Parades Commission ruling regarding this parade.
“While this is to be welcomed it does not address the facts that the host population along the parade route are held hostage in their houses for the day, local businesses are forced to close and traffic mayhem ensues for the day.”
Curran insisted however, that there was no dialogue between the parade organisers and Newry political representatives in the run up to the march. “The parade organisers still refuse to meet local people or elected representatives despite many attempts being made to convene such a meeting. They appear happy to converge in Newry on buses and march where they are not wanted causing distress and annoyance to the local people.”
Curran went on to outline some of the calls received by Newry Sinn Féin office from irate locals,
“The main complaint during the course of yesterday was the traffic chaos caused by the march. Numerous phone calls came through Newry Sinn Féin office from people who were delayed up to an hour trying to navigate the Belfast Road area.”
He added, “I would again call on the Orange Order to come out and meet the people who live with the consequences of their marching and the representatives they have elected to speak for them.”
Mixed reception to Newry Orange parade
Newry Orange parade passes off peacefully
Sinn Féin meet PSNI regarding Newry 12th Parade
Residents raise flag concern ahead of contentious Newry Orange parade
‘Expect traffic delays and diversions’ – PSNI ahead of controversial Newry Orange parade
Unionist politicians call for ‘tolerance and respect’ for Newry Orange parade
Tension mounts as Newry gets set for Orange parade
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=19559
Posted by Newry Times News
on Jul 13 2012. Filed under Community, News.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
