Rasharkin: Storey slams 'Republicans who caused sectarian havoc'

Speaking after attending the parade organised by Ballymaconnelly Sons of Conquerors, Mr Storey said: "With regard to this parade, the Parades Commission initially created a situation where it rewarded those who engaged in sectarian abuse during last year's event and penalised those who upheld the law.

"In doing so it created the circumstances in which those on parade would be left high and dry at one end of the village with no means of returning home other than running a gauntlet of hatred and threatened violence.

"Despite advance claims to the contrary the Residents Association were found out, drumming up support from outside influences in an effort to import objectors from elsewhere so that the atmosphere of intimidation in the village was intensified. "This eventually and inevitably justified in the mind of some the planting of the hoax bomb in another attempt at ensuring the parade did not go ahead, however I am glad that their plans and their intent was not realised.

"The blame for any delay and the late hour of the conclusion lies fairly and squarely with those who in the first instance have continued to carry on a sectarian campaign of demonisation of Ballymaconnellly's parade and those who felt in light of that opposition justified in planting the hoax bomb.

"A number of things now need to take place. The Residents Association and local Sinn Fein MLA need to accept that this parade and all other expressions of our Unionist identity has a legitimate place in tapestry of our culture and that they will work to decommission the mindset of those who just want the parade stopped.

"All sides involved in the decision making process around parading in Rasharkin should recognise the huge credibility gap now exists when it comes to both Daithi Mckay and the Residents Association, neither of whom represent the views of the vast majority of Rasharkin residents who wish only to live in peace with their Protestant neighbours.

"It is essential that Parades Commission finally sees through the fog and smoke of what is passed off for community concern on the part of some protestors, see it for the sectarian campaign that it is, and ceases to reward those who engage in it

"Another matter that now needs to be addressed without delay is the question of arrests being made and charges being brought. I will be having discussions with the police to see if there is any forensic evidence that could lead them to those who planted the device.

"We also need action against those who tried unsuccessfully to block the road prior to the parade passing the protest and action taken against those who fired missiles at some bands during the parade. As with last years protest there needs to be prosecutions for those who broke the law. I will also be asking the police why it took so long for the ATO to come to the village.”

Mr Storey added: “Once again Ballymaconnelly Sons of Conquerors have risen above attempts to incite community strife and heighten community tension. I would pay tribute to the band and all the marshals for their hard work not only during the parade but in the weeks leading up to the parade. I look forward to working with them again in the coming months as we prepare for next year’s parade.”