War of words yet again on flags issue

The Sinn Féin Mayor of Limavady believes there are too many Unionist flags and Orange Order parades in Limavady, which he says is putting “the Borough at risk” and potentially undermining community relations.

The Sinn Féin councillor issued a detailed statement to the Sentinel, bemoaning the fact that after tricolour flags were taken down on the Ballyquinn Road, the Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist community has failed to do likewise.

He said that the unionist flags and bunting in the Bovally area were “menacing” to tourists and that the number of Orange parades were having a “toxic influence on policing and perceptions”.

Councillor McLaughlin drew parallels between nationalist perceptions of police in areas such as the Ardoyne in Belfast and the Glens estate in Limavady.

Meanwhile, DUP members from Limavady have also issued a statement to this newspaper condemning the erection of what they call “Nationalist flags and other unsavoury items” on the route of a forthcoming Loyalist band parade.

The statement, issued from DUP headquarters on behalf of Limavady DUP, read: “Up to four dozen flags including items with links to the INLA and Provisional IRA have been erected along the Rathbrady and Irish Green Street areas where a band parade is due to pass on Friday evening. “Rumour has it that they have been erected apparently under a celebratory guise for an event due to be held 10 miles away in Dungiven however it is clear to those within the Unionist community that this is nothing short of an attempt to raise tension prior to Friday nights event.

“Can you imagine the outcry there would be if Unionists had erected Loyalist paramilitary flags on the route of the Republican event due to take place in Dungiven town?

“We therefore call upon the leaders within Nationalism to show influence and grant the respect that the Unionist and Loyalist culture deserves. We ask that these items are removed, that tolerance be shown and that the mutual respect that is constantly demanded of Unionists be afforded to our community.”

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin Councillor and Mayor of Limavady Cathal McLaughlin in his own statement on the issue of flags and Loyalist parades said: “Sinn Féin facilitated the removal of all the tricolour flags on Ballyquinn Road in April but the local PUL community has failed to reciprocate. The proliferation of Unionist flags and bunting from Edenmore Road to Burnfoot is a disgrace.

“This sends out a menacing signal to tourists whom we are actively trying to attract to this Borough. Sinn Féin’s leadership on the Ballyquinn Road and the Glens estate did not receive a receptacle response in Bovally from the PUL community. This mirrors last week’s contrasting outcomes at Ardoyne and Crumlin on the 12th July.”

“This calls for a renewed focus on parades, especially the small number of contentious parades which still retain the capacity to undermine and destabilise recent political progress. The absence of any confrontation in Crumlin, despite its latent potential, resulted from the application of practical leadership accompanied by a successful negotiation.

“This involved both local residents and the Orange Order. A tangible reduction in tension and a mutual management plan came into operation as a result. All bunting, flags and protest banners were removed within an hour of the parade ending as a sense of normality returned to Crumlin village. Anti peace-process elements were nowhere in sight, devoid of issues and influence.

“This was clearly not the case in Ardoyne, where increased community tensions, division and annual sectarian conflict are the norm. This continuing saga has delivered the anti-peace elements both an issue for building on and an unwelcome level of influence with the GARC group now being profiled on mainstream media.

“This and other similar groups like the Rasharkin Residents Collective are clearly opposed to our peace process and the new policing dispensation. They are intent on manipulating the genuine fears and concerns of Nationalists while fermenting confrontation with the PSNI through the involvement of disaffected young people.

“Contentious parades will, if left unresolved, continue to enable and empower anti peace process elements while disempowering progressive individuals, groups and parties who have signed up to a peaceful and democratic way forward.

“This is also evident in the Loyalist/Unionist tradition, with reactionary elements who have failed to deliver leadership on key issues like parading, now castigate Jackie McDonald for his brave and progressive comments on contentious parades.

“Attitudes around parades continue to harden in both traditions engendering an increase in sectarian attitudes and perspectives. The issue that lit the fuse in 1969 threatens to gradually move society back into confrontational mode.

“It’s like the ship heading for the proverbial iceberg. Everyone realises what’s happening but those in charge of the ship the Loyal Orders and their political cohorts stubbornly refuse to provide the requisite leadership and direction capable of steering the ship clear of the looming iceberg.

“Contentious parades also have a toxic influence on policing and perceptions around the new policing dispensation in our divided society. The level of trust and confidence in the policing service is being unduly influenced in a negative fashion with obvious consequences.

“For many young nationalists and Republicans in areas like the Glens estate in Limavady, Ardoyne and Rasharkin their interaction with policing is both negative and indeed hostile within the context of their perception of the PSNI ‘facilitating’ contentious parades through their areas. This colours attitudes and perceptions with regard to both the new policing and political dispensations especially amongst our young people, providing fertile ground for an anti peace process agenda.

Mayor McLaughlin concluded: “The Parades Commission, political parties, community leaders, civic and business leaders, those who organise and those who oppose such parades, the police, judiciary and the PPS all share a common responsibility to provide the essential leadership on this issue.

“Their requirements may vary but collectively they need to send a clear message that society can no longer sustain the annual ritual of contentious parades and protests, from a social, political or financial perspective. Genuine dialogue and engagement is the key to producing sustainable resolutions to parading disputes. All the key agencies outlined above must proactively bring pressure to bear on the key protagonists to achieve sustainable resolutions, given the social, political and financial consequences for failure in the current economic climate and the fragility of our peace and political processes.

“While not all issues were resolved in Crumlin, the willingness to enter into dialogue resulted in a better understanding of each other’s positions while facilitating an accommodation between competing rights. Where no meaningful dialogue materialises then it is imperative that the Parades Commission through their determinations create the conditions for movement and resolution. A window of opportunity exists let us not squander it. I want to see Bovally and Limavady Town Centre cleansed of flags and bunting and a significant reduction in the number of parades which bring Limavady town to a standstill most Friday nights every summer.”