Duddy angered at Parades Commission ruling

Outgoing Mayor of Coleraine, councillor George Duddy.

The DUP councillor was speaking as news emerged that a feeder parade for next Monday’s Apprentice Boys’ has been restricted by the Parades Commission.

“The determination reached by the parades commission, an unrepresentative, unelected quango, has been heavily criticised by Killowen Apprentice Boys of Derry Club who are an integral part of the Killowen area over the past 90 years or more.

“It is they who have been subjected to an orchestrated campaign by a criminal gang who have fired missiles and verbal abuse over the past five years.

“The club has been penalised by the parades commission for being law-abiding.”

Mayor Duddy added: “The only persons most likely to have objected were the PSNI and they must explain to Killowen Apprentice Boys of Derry their reasons.

“This doesn’t auger well for the Easter Monday parade, the first time the parade has taken place in Coleraine, on Easter Monday.

“One wonders how many illegal republican parades will taken place on Easter Monday without challenge from either the parades commission or the PSNI,” said councillor Duddy.