RUC appeal for calm ahead of parade decision

The RUC have written an open letter to people in the Ormeau Road area asking them to hold whatever protest they plan against Monday's Apprentice Boys parade with restraint.

The Appeal Court in Belfast is due to rule before lunch whether the parades commission ruling that the march can go ahead should be overturned.

RUC chief superintendent Stephen Grange has written the open letter which, he said, will not be delivered to every house because of time constraints.

It says the police are appealing for calm and restraint but in order to allow the march to go ahead there will be inevitably be a seizable RUC presence in the area and some disruption.

While they recognise a legitimate right to protest, they will enforce the law.

When contacted, Gerard Rice of the Lower Ormeau Concerned Community did not know about the letter's existence and said no-one in the area was aware of it. He described it as a public relations exercise.

Tension in the area is increasing as the High Court ruling on whether the parade goes ahead is awaited.