Order blames republicans for attacking police at legal Orange parade

THE Orange Order has issued a statement praising police for their work ensuring the smooth running of the Twelfth parades and blaming republicans for attacks on PSNI officers protecting legal demonstrations.

By The Newsroom

Published 14th Jul 2010, 16:50 BST

Updated 14th Jul 2010, 16:53 BST

In a statement the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland stated: "Over the past few months the Orange Institution has been working with the PSNI to ensure the smooth running of our parades.

"We wish to thank the police, in all areas, and at all levels, for their professionalism.

"Our parades in 2010 were extremely well organised and very successful and hundreds of thousands of people enjoyed them as an expression of our religion and culture.

"In north Belfast a small number of republicans chose to attack the police when they were protecting a legal Orange parade and there was republican violence in other parts of Northern Ireland.

"We totally condemn the attacks on the PSNI and hope that the injured officers are all able to make a full recovery and return to duty as soon as possible."