SF vows to challenge rulings on Belfast parades

Sinn Féin has vowed to challenge the Parades Commission's decision to allow two Orange Order marches pass through nationalist areas of north and west Belfast next Tuesday.

The commission has decided to allow the annual Twelfth of July parades to pass the Ardoyne shops in the north of the city and along Workman Avenue in the west.

Last year, republican activists attempted to prevent nationalist rioters from attacking British soldiers protecting the Ardoyne march.

However, they are unlikely to do so again this year following the British government's decision to jail one of their colleagues, Sean Kelly, for allegedly breaching the terms of his early release licence.

This has led to fears of violence at next Tuesday's marches.

Sinn Féin is due to announce details later today of what form its challenge to the Parades Commission's rulings will take.