Nationalists from the Lower Ormeau Road in Belfast are calling on the Parades Commission in the North to ban all Orange parades from going through the area. They claim sections of the Orange Order may attempt to hold a Drumcree-style stand-off in the area on July 12th. But local Orangemen say they have made attempts to reach a long-term solution by agreeing to proximity talks with the residents next month.
Attitudes among the nationalist community have hardened since the Drumcree stand-off last year. Lower Ormeau residents say that since then, ten Catholics have been killed and many dozens have been subjected to attacks on their homes and intimidation. Last year, in the wake of the Ballymoney petrol bomb attack in which three young children were killed, the Lower Ormeau Road group protested silently as the local Orange Lodge marched through the area for the 12th celebrations. This year, they are calling on the Parades Commission to issue a blanket ban on all orange marches in the area.
Security forces are now worried that the district could turn into another flashpoint if Orangemen attempt to stage a Drumcree-style confrontation. Two other Belfast lodges have applied to parade to the Ormeau bridge, if the Ballynafeigh district march is banned. The Orange Order say they have been prepared to enter proximity talks with nationalist residents. But it seems that avenue is unlikely to achieve a solution this year.
Meanwhile, Portadown Orangemen have been told they have until Thursday to accept the three pledges set down by the Church of Ireland Primate, Dr Robin Eames. They call for district members to obey the law, to respect the sanctity of worship and the integrity of the church. The Church of Ireland Bishop of Down and Dromore, Harold Millar, has reminded Orangemen that if they refuse to do so, they would not be welcome to come to the service in Drumcree.
