Controversial Stoneyford parade gets go ahead

The Parades Commission said the march, by the Pride of the Village Band could only go from its assembly point at Stoneyford Orange Hall along Main Street and that it must finish within 15 minutes.

It banned the parade from going through a number of mixed housing areas in the village.

The Commission said it had a number of concerns in relation to the notification of the parade which, it said, left the question unanswered whether or not it is a "mischievous notification to parade in Stoneyford from an unrelated third party; or, indeed, whether it is a genuine notification from the Pride of the Village band".

In spite of that they decided they had enough information to make a determination.

The Commission said it understood Stoneyford 'has seen sectarian tension, and that the organising band has been the focus of concerns about sectarian intimidation in the village'.

"The Commission considers that the notification of this parade can only give rise to renewed tensions in Stoneyford. As it has done previously in considering parades notified by this band, the Commission suggests to the organiser that he reflect carefully on whether his actions are in the best interests of community relations in Stoneyford; and if they are helping to further the interests of parading as a peaceful, cultural tradition."