‘Three days of parades in Newry is madness’ – Murphy | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

‘Three days of parades in Newry is madness’ – Murphy

Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy is encouraging residents in Newry to voice any concerns they have about a number of upcoming parades in the city to the Parade’s Commission.

Photo courtesy of D.Barry (Twitter)The Newry and Armagh representative said that while he’s aware there is a lot of anger over the disruption these parades cause the best way to affect change is to make a submission to the commission.

“There are no less than three parades planned for Newry over the course of the August bank holiday weekend. An absolutely ridiculous scenario when you consider the disruption this will cause to people trying to take advantage of the break to shop, travel or visit Newry,” he told Newry Times.

“On Friday the 28th of August at least 50 bands intent to parade from the Hockey Club along the Belfast Road, Downshire Road, Church Avenue, Rathfriland Road, Sandys Street, Trevor Hill, Kildare Street then onto the Town Hall and Sugar Island before going back through Trevor Hill the Downshire Road and Belfast Road.

“This parade begins at 7.15pm and isn’t scheduled to finish until half 10 at night so as well as causing serious disruption to a main road on a Friday evening and affecting the night time economy of the city there is genuine concern that it could lead to trouble,” he insisted.

The local MLA said there has been no consultation on the parade and the organisers have ‘refused to speak’ to residents.

orange parade2“There is documented evidence to show that during this parade last year a local family had their car attacked while trying to get out of their home. There were also numerous reports of on-street drinking both during and after the parade, which goes totally against the determination that was made by the Commission.

“Then on Saturday the 29th another parade with at least 9 bands will set of at 8.30am going through the Downshire Road, Sandy Street Roundabout, Trevor Hill, Kildare Street, Hill Street, Margaret Square, Margaret Street, The Mall and then Needham Bridge.

“It will return again at 7pm and follow the same route from Needham Bridge back to the Downshire Road,” Murphy continued.

“On Sunday the 30th yet another parade will leave from the Downshire Road at 3pm travelling along Trevor Hill, Kildare Street, Bank Parade, Sugar Island and then back through Trevor Hill and the Downshire Road before marching the same route again at 4.30pm.

Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy said it was 'madness' to

Sinn Fein’s Conor Murphy said it was ‘madness’ to have three days of parades in Newry

Murphy said anyone thinking of coming into Newry over the bank holiday weekend to shop or visit would ‘seriously reconsider’ due to the parades.

“I’m all for the right to peaceful assembly but some balance has to be struck with the rights of residents to live in peace, the rights of businesses to attract people to the city and the rights of people to go about their daily business without an entire weekend of disruption.

“There are at least 140 parades planned all over the north over the bank holiday weekend. This is absolute madness.

He encouraged any residents of the areas with concerns about the parades to voice them to the Parades Commission. “It is the only way to hopefully limit the disruption or loss these events will cause to the city.”

Murphy added, “To make a submission to the Parades Commission write to The Parades Commission, 2nd Floor, Andras House, 60 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7BB. Call 028 9089 5900 or email info@paradescommissionni.org.”

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=52152

Posted by on Aug 6 2015. Filed under Community, News, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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