Peaceful Twelfth parade ‘massive step forward’ in Ardoyne
Respect shown on both sides at an Orange Order parade past the Ardoyne flashpoint in north Belfast has been hailed as a massive step forward.
The annual Twelfth of July early morning march passed off peacefully, through an area which has previously experienced serious tensions.
Orange Order members and loyalist bands passed by, adhering to the single drumbeat ruling, while only a handful of nationalist residents looked on.
While there was still a heavy police presence as a precaution, riot officers were only spectators in the end.
Father Gary Donegan, a Catholic priest who has worked in the Ardoyne area for many years, said even small steps forward were a massive success.
While Father Donegan said parades were a sensitive issue, there were others that were more important for areas of social deprivation – like improving education, employment, and housing.
“This area has nothing - it has no football pitch, it has no swimming baths, there is no infrastructure,” he said.
“The more normality takes place, the more likelihood you will get a more thriving society.
“Who would want to come in and invest in a place where there is lockdown and possible civil disobedience? It’s cutting off your nose to spite your face.”
Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly also felt there had been a significant change in the atmosphere at Ardoyne.
“The atmosphere is entirely different - there was a much more relaxed atmosphere,” he said.
“You can come here this morning with some relief and some knowledge that it is going to be passed over in a very short period of time, and relationships can be built upon that.”
Thousands of people are taking part in Orange parades across Northern Ireland on Wednesday.
Major events are staged in Armagh and Belfast, while other demonstrations this year are being held in Lisbellaw, Cookstown, Beragh, Clogher, Coleraine, Kilrea, Banbridge, Bangor, Ballynahinch, Annalong, Hillsborough, Cloughfern, Broughshane, Ballymena, Cloughmills and Cullybackey.
The events mark King William of Orange’s victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
It comes after the traditional lighting of Eleventh Night bonfires, many of which continued to smoulder on Wednesday.
It made for a busy night for firefighters, while police have also said they dealt with numerous incidents including attacks on emergency services, assault, antisocial and offensive behaviour.
However, the PSNI has welcomed the fact that there was no major disorder.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said: “It is pleasing to note that the annual downward trend of public order incidents on 11 July has continued.
“We would thank our partners in agencies and communities for helping us to ensure that this was the case.”
ACC Todd added that investigations were ongoing into some of the incidents reported.
“We have gathered evidence in relation to some of the complaints,” ACC Todd said.
“We will conduct further enquiries to endeavour to bring anyone responsible for criminal activity before the courts.”