Peaceful parades 'could indicate mindset change'
Hopes were rising today that peaceful Orange Order parades in the North could indicate a change of mindsets, leading to durable peace and tolerance.
Democratic Unionist MP Gregory Campbell welcomed the largely peaceful Twelfth of July demonstrations.
Nationalists and loyalists had been concerned in the run up to yesterday’s parades about the potential for rioting, particularly in Belfast’s Ardoyne area.
However, marshals on both sides of the community ensured that the return parade in Ardoyne yesterday morning passed off without any major violence.
Among those who worked to keep nationalist residents calm were Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and his Assembly colleague Gerry Kelly.
The peaceful conclusion was also welcomed by Democratic Unionist MP Nigel Dodds, Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland, Northern Ireland Office Security Minister Paul Goggins and Ardoyne priest Father Aidan Troy.
While an Orange Hall was destroyed in an arson attack near Armoy and there were clashes between youths and the police in Derry, the violence was nowhere on the scale of previous sectarian confrontations in the North around July 12.
Gregory Campbell was hopeful that yesterday’s peaceful parade could be debated for long-term progress in the North.
“Despite the minor setbacks, it is just possible that July 2006 might start to change mindsets that will help in the longer term the goal of durable peace and real tolerance in Northern Ireland,” the former Stormont Regional Development Minister said.
| Related Stories: |
|
