Commission urged to reconsider parade decision

Residents in the mainly Catholic village of Rasharkin in Co Antrim are asking the Parades Commission to re-think its decision to sanction a loyalist parade next Friday.

Local people packed a meeting last night to ask the commission to formally review the decision to allow the local "Sons of Conquerors" band and others to parade in the 70% Catholic village.

Tensions have been rising in the area as a result of the decision, with Orange halls and Catholic properties coming under attack.

DUP Assemblyman Ian Paisley jnr insists that the bands have a right to parade, but Sinn Féin says residents should be allowed to live free of "sectarian harassment".