Nationalist residents, Protest peacefully against march
The RUC has said that it is pleased with the manner in which this evening's Orange Order parade passed and praised both the Orange Order and Nationalist counter demonstrators for their behaviour. A heavy security presence was present along part of the Springfield road, as the march passed through the peaceline on its way from the Loyalist Shankill road. Several hundred nationalists opposed to the parade staged a protest rally away from the view of the marchers. The protesters dispersed peacefully after the parade passed.
A contentious Orange Order parade in West Belfast has passed off without any serious incident. There was a very heavy security presence along part of the Springfield road, as the parade passed through the peaceline on its way from the Loyalist Shankill road. Several hundred Nationalist protesters stood at police lines as the Orange Order parade passed a few hundred yards away from them.
Portadown Orangemen responded earlier to the Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Robin Eames call for pledges relating to their behaviour at Drumcree parade. In a letter to the Archbishop, the Orangemen say that they will do their best to stop any violence and to keep any protest peaceful.
On the question of abiding by the decision of the Parades Commission, Portadown Orange Lodge says that they have not broken the law, since their parade has not gone any further than the Church at Drumcree following last year's ruling.
