Flanagan appeals for calm over parades

Serious violence at Drumcree and other disputed Orange Order parades in Northern Ireland can be avoided if sense prevails, RUC chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan said today.

Police and troops are preparing for potential trouble at a parade close to the Belfast peaceline tomorrow.

But the biggest threat comes on Sunday week when thousands of Orangemen and their supporters gather at Drumcree for a planned march on the nationalist Garvaghy Road, Portadown, Co Armagh, which is likely to be banned.

Mr Flanagan said he understood how deeply feelings ran over parades.

But he added: "We have seen in the past where common sense prevails and the real violence we have seen in the past can be avoided.

"I am confident with that common sense approach the violence this year can be avoided as well."