MARCHERS REMEMBER OMAGH BOMB VICTIMS
Marchers remember Omagh bomb victims
Blackmen demand 'decisive action'
By Marie Foy
UP to 40,000 members of the Royal Black Preceptory and their supporters today remembered the victims of the Omagh bomb at demonstrations across Northern Ireland.
Tens of thousands of Blackmen and spectators were expected to fill the streets at six venues in the last of the principal parades of the summer.
Members of 11 preceptories in Omagh, some of whom had relatives killed or injured in the horrific bombing, were not taking part.
The Loyal Order said it did not feel it could parade as normal because of the tragedy.
Earlier this week, the RBP said it would abide by a Parades Commission decision to restrict 11 feeder marches.
In Belfast, a march was re-routed away from the flashpoint lower Ormeau Road.
Ballynafeigh Black District planned to hand in a letter of protest to them RUC at Ormeau Bridge before travelling by bus to the Belfast demonstration in Bangor.
The largest crowds were expected in Newry, where the Co Down procession takes place once every 13 years.
The Newry brethern voluntarily restricted their route away from the town centre after objections from the nationalist Coalition Against Sectarian Marches.
The institution's Sovereign Grand Master Lord Molyneaux was the main speaker, due to lay a floral tribute at the town's Cenotaph to the victims of the Omagh atrocity.
A large turnout was also expected in Ballymena where preceptories from Co Antrim were congregating.
Around 5,000 marchers were due to take part in the Armagh and East Tyrone procession in Dungannon. Blackmen from North Tyrone, including members from Cavan and Monaghan were planning to gather at Donemana.
Co Londonderry held its procession through the streets of Limavady.
The organisation's Imperial Grand Registrar William Logan said: "This is a gala day which has been traditionally used by the Black Institution to display its culture.
"Sadly, on this occasion it has been overshadowed by the events of two weeks ago when the town of Omagh was tragically attacked by evil people."
In an emergency resolution, proposed at all the gatherings, the Institution offered sympathy to those bereaved and injured in the bomb and by other atrocities.
It stated: "We call upon the Government not just to utter the usual hollow promises of elimination, but to act decisively and immediately to apprehend and take out of circulation those responsible for such heinous crimes."
The RBP appealed for those with information to help the police and for all terrorist bodies to disarm.
Members re-dedicated themselves to the Protestant Reformed faith and re-affirmed their loyalty to the Queen.
The Parades Commission placed restrictions on parts of routes in Bellaghy, Dungannon, Castlewellan, Keady, Pomeroy,
Greencastle, Strabane and Armagh.
A parade in Ballycastle went ahead without restrictions.
Blackmen demand 'decisive action'
By Marie Foy
UP to 40,000 members of the Royal Black Preceptory and their supporters today remembered the victims of the Omagh bomb at demonstrations across Northern Ireland.
Tens of thousands of Blackmen and spectators were expected to fill the streets at six venues in the last of the principal parades of the summer.
Members of 11 preceptories in Omagh, some of whom had relatives killed or injured in the horrific bombing, were not taking part.
The Loyal Order said it did not feel it could parade as normal because of the tragedy.
Earlier this week, the RBP said it would abide by a Parades Commission decision to restrict 11 feeder marches.
In Belfast, a march was re-routed away from the flashpoint lower Ormeau Road.
Ballynafeigh Black District planned to hand in a letter of protest to them RUC at Ormeau Bridge before travelling by bus to the Belfast demonstration in Bangor.
The largest crowds were expected in Newry, where the Co Down procession takes place once every 13 years.
The Newry brethern voluntarily restricted their route away from the town centre after objections from the nationalist Coalition Against Sectarian Marches.
The institution's Sovereign Grand Master Lord Molyneaux was the main speaker, due to lay a floral tribute at the town's Cenotaph to the victims of the Omagh atrocity.
A large turnout was also expected in Ballymena where preceptories from Co Antrim were congregating.
Around 5,000 marchers were due to take part in the Armagh and East Tyrone procession in Dungannon. Blackmen from North Tyrone, including members from Cavan and Monaghan were planning to gather at Donemana.
Co Londonderry held its procession through the streets of Limavady.
The organisation's Imperial Grand Registrar William Logan said: "This is a gala day which has been traditionally used by the Black Institution to display its culture.
"Sadly, on this occasion it has been overshadowed by the events of two weeks ago when the town of Omagh was tragically attacked by evil people."
In an emergency resolution, proposed at all the gatherings, the Institution offered sympathy to those bereaved and injured in the bomb and by other atrocities.
It stated: "We call upon the Government not just to utter the usual hollow promises of elimination, but to act decisively and immediately to apprehend and take out of circulation those responsible for such heinous crimes."
The RBP appealed for those with information to help the police and for all terrorist bodies to disarm.
Members re-dedicated themselves to the Protestant Reformed faith and re-affirmed their loyalty to the Queen.
The Parades Commission placed restrictions on parts of routes in Bellaghy, Dungannon, Castlewellan, Keady, Pomeroy,
Greencastle, Strabane and Armagh.
A parade in Ballycastle went ahead without restrictions.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0631
Published Date: 29-Aug-98
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