NI fears of marching season violence

Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party have both expressed concern about the possibility of violence at two contentious Orange parades this weekend.

Both marches have been marred by violence in past years. The Tour of the North parade this Friday has been re-routed, but will still pass some sectarian flashpoints.

Sinn Féin had asked for a further change in the route, but the request was rejected by the Parades Commission.

On Saturday, meanwhile, the annual Whiterock Orange parade will cross the main Falls/Shankill "peaceline" in west Belfast.

The DUP held a meeting with police today to discuss security along the routes of both parades, while community workers from both sides of the sectarian divide have been talking for weeks to avoid conflict.