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Belfast parade passes off peacefully

Apprentice Boys of Derry - Marched without incident
Apprentice Boys of Derry - Marched without incident

A contentious feeder parade in north Belfast by the Apprentice Boys of Derry has passed off without incident. 

There were no protests by nationalists as a band and around 16 members of the loyalist order marched past the Ardoyne shops.

In accordance with a Parades Commission ruling, the flute band played no music except a drum beat.

There was no protest this time by nationalist Ardoyne residents.

They said it was a gesture aimed at creating a climate towards real dialogue with organisers of future loyalist parades.

The march moved peacefully into the Protestant Woodvale Road, cheered by about 40 supporters.

Two other feeder parades in contentious areas of the city also passed without incident.

A PSNI superintendent paid tribute to people in the north Belfast area for the work they had undertaken in advance of the parade in order to ensure its peaceful passage.