US parade observers critiscise ‘grotesque anti-Catholic displays’

American observers have reported "grotesque anti-Catholic displays" during last year's Orange Order parades in the North.

The Irish Parades Emergency Committee, which has been monitoring loyalist marches for more than 10 years, says the situation surrounding parades has improved in recent years.

In its report on last year's parades, it notes positive developments like the relative restraint shown by the PSNI and Orange Order stewards.

However, it also says the anti-Catholic nature of the parades is still evident, while loyalist paramilitary regalia continues to be tolerated by the police.

The committee says many Orange marchers last year were carrying UDA and UVF flans in overt displays of support for loyalist paramilitaries.

It also says the marchers breached Parades Commission rules by playing anti-Catholic and anti-Irish sectarian songs while passing chapels and residential areas.

The report cites one incident where Orange supporters dressed as Catholic nuns marched triumphantly passed the nationalist Ardoyne area on July 12th.