Peaceful Orange parade augurs well for marching season
The first contentious Orange parade of this year's marching season has passed off peacefully in Belfast.
The Tour of the North parade passed several flashpoints last night, but both loyalist and republican community workers were on the ground to ensure there was no trouble.
Sinn Féin had protested when the Parades Commission allowed the contentious parade to pass the New Lodge Road and Limestone Road junctions, but party councillors were on the streets last night to keep people calm.
The SDLP noted some minor breaches of Commission regulations by some of the loyalist bands, but there were no major incidents.
Both sides were pleased with the peaceful night, and said it augured well for the rest of the marching season.
