Loyalists may stage Dublin rally

The organisers of a loyalist rally in Belfast at the weekend are considering staging a similar event in Dublin, it emerged today.

The Love Ulster campaign claimed between 13,000 and 14,000 people took part in their parade in Belfast’s Shankill Road, with 3,500 remaining for speeches during a rally in Woodvale Park.

The rally, which was addressed by Willie Frazer of the victims group FAIR, Orange Order Belfast County Grand Master Dawson Bailie and the Rev. Mervyn Gibson, was staged to highlight loyalist grievances about their community’s treatment during the peace process.

The Love Ulster Organising Committee today revealed it is also exploring the possibility of similar rallies in Dublin, Liverpool, London and Glasgow.

A spokesperson said: “This was a peaceful and democratic event in support of unity of purpose within the unionist family.

“It also sent a strong message to Peter Hain and Tony Blair that the unionist people will not be treated as second class citizens within the political process.

“We consider this to have been an excellent start. This campaign will continue to grow and grow.

“We have received requests to hold further rallies in other venues around the province, and in Glasgow, Liverpool, London and Dublin. We will be actively pursuing all these options.

“We will continue to pursue a ‘people’s agenda’, to encourage and enable unionist people to stand up and be counted and to make their voice heard.”