Parades body re-routes march away from nationalist Ormeau

The North’s Parades Commission has decided to re-route the first contentious parade of this year’s loyalist marching season away from the nationalist Lower Ormeau area of south Belfast.

The move has angered the Apprentice Boys of Derry, who were hoping to march through the mainly Catholic area this Easter Monday.

Tommy Cheevers, an Apprentice Boys spokesman, accused the Parades Commission of inconsistency and said his organisation should have been rewarded for voluntarily cancelling last year’s parade due to the foot and mouth crisis.

However, Gerard Rice, a spokesman for the Lower Ormeau Residents, said the commission’s ruling recognised local opposition to the parade for the first time and said the loyal orders should feel that their day is enhanced, not diminished, by voluntarily staying away from areas where they are not welcome.