VIOLENCE WILL TAINT MEMORY OF OMAGH
Violence will taint memory of Omagh - Ingram
By Noel McAdam,
Political Correspondent
A GOVERNMENT minister today warned against violence at flashpoint parades during the weekend marking the first anniversary of the Omagh bomb.
Security Minister Adam Ingram said: "This is a traumatic time for the people of Omagh and indeed for all those touched directly and indirectly by the terrible events of last year.
"As another weekend in the marching season approaches, everyone involved should be mindful of the significance of this particular anniversary and respond accordingly.
"Whilst people have a defined right to parade and to protest, there can be no excuse for it to be done against a background of violence and civil disorder."
Mr Ingram said marches had passed off peacefully this year due to the responsible attitude shown by the loyal orders and residents' groups.
"There is no better way to achieve this than through dialogue and local accommodation. Above all there must be respect for the law in all circumstances," he added.
His comments came as the Bogside Residents' Group, the Lower Ormeau Concerned Residents' Group and the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition combined to accuse the Parades Commission of "political" decisions.
At a joint press conference, Garvaghy Road spokesman Breandan MacCionnaith said the Ormeau Road parade was being used to prepare the ground for a parade to be forced down the Garvaghy Road in the near future.
Bogside residents' spokesman Donnacha MacNiallais said the Commission had set back efforts at dialogue by four years and there was now no incentive for the loyal orders to seek dialogue with residents.
Gerard Rice, of the Lower Ormeau Coalition, said: "What we are facing on the Ormeau Road on Saturday is the same old sectarian coat-trailing that we have seen over many years."
Parish priest the Rev Anthony Curran, who took part in meetings between the Apprentice Boys, said the Commission had destroyed the genuine efforts made by the residents'group.
The south Belfast SDLP constituency association voiced profound disagreement with the Commission decision.
South Belfast Assembly members Carmel Hanna and Alasdair McDonnell said they were disappointed by the decision, but added any confrontation would be "sleep walking towards disaster'.
"In the review period of the Good Friday Agreement, there is a particular responsibility on politicians and community leaders to abide by the spirt of the Agreement," their joint statement added.
The Irish Republican Socialist Party, which met Mr Rice yesterday, accused the Government and Commission of issuing a threat to the Lower Ormeau community.
IRSP spokesman Fra Halligan said:"The British Government and the Parades Commission shifted its remit by pushing through new criteria through Parliament at the end of June. Alliance party president Phillip McGarry said, however, there was no alternative to accepting the decisions of the Commission, and calls for protests by residents' leaders a year after the Omagh atrocity must be seen as reprehensible.
By Noel McAdam,
Political Correspondent
A GOVERNMENT minister today warned against violence at flashpoint parades during the weekend marking the first anniversary of the Omagh bomb.
Security Minister Adam Ingram said: "This is a traumatic time for the people of Omagh and indeed for all those touched directly and indirectly by the terrible events of last year.
"As another weekend in the marching season approaches, everyone involved should be mindful of the significance of this particular anniversary and respond accordingly.
"Whilst people have a defined right to parade and to protest, there can be no excuse for it to be done against a background of violence and civil disorder."
Mr Ingram said marches had passed off peacefully this year due to the responsible attitude shown by the loyal orders and residents' groups.
"There is no better way to achieve this than through dialogue and local accommodation. Above all there must be respect for the law in all circumstances," he added.
His comments came as the Bogside Residents' Group, the Lower Ormeau Concerned Residents' Group and the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition combined to accuse the Parades Commission of "political" decisions.
At a joint press conference, Garvaghy Road spokesman Breandan MacCionnaith said the Ormeau Road parade was being used to prepare the ground for a parade to be forced down the Garvaghy Road in the near future.
Bogside residents' spokesman Donnacha MacNiallais said the Commission had set back efforts at dialogue by four years and there was now no incentive for the loyal orders to seek dialogue with residents.
Gerard Rice, of the Lower Ormeau Coalition, said: "What we are facing on the Ormeau Road on Saturday is the same old sectarian coat-trailing that we have seen over many years."
Parish priest the Rev Anthony Curran, who took part in meetings between the Apprentice Boys, said the Commission had destroyed the genuine efforts made by the residents'group.
The south Belfast SDLP constituency association voiced profound disagreement with the Commission decision.
South Belfast Assembly members Carmel Hanna and Alasdair McDonnell said they were disappointed by the decision, but added any confrontation would be "sleep walking towards disaster'.
"In the review period of the Good Friday Agreement, there is a particular responsibility on politicians and community leaders to abide by the spirt of the Agreement," their joint statement added.
The Irish Republican Socialist Party, which met Mr Rice yesterday, accused the Government and Commission of issuing a threat to the Lower Ormeau community.
IRSP spokesman Fra Halligan said:"The British Government and the Parades Commission shifted its remit by pushing through new criteria through Parliament at the end of June. Alliance party president Phillip McGarry said, however, there was no alternative to accepting the decisions of the Commission, and calls for protests by residents' leaders a year after the Omagh atrocity must be seen as reprehensible.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0588
Published Date: 13-Aug-99
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