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Jamie Bryson calls for march ban to be overturned

Prominent loyalist Jamie Bryson taking part in an Apprentice Boys' parade at Easter. Picture by Cliff Donaldson
Prominent loyalist Jamie Bryson taking part in an Apprentice Boys' parade at Easter. Picture by Cliff Donaldson Prominent loyalist Jamie Bryson taking part in an Apprentice Boys' parade at Easter. Picture by Cliff Donaldson

PROMINENT loyalist Jamie Bryson has called on the Parades Commission to overturn a ban against a flute band from marching past a Catholic Church this weekend, after a loyalist band had a 'sectarian songs' conviction overturned on appeal.

Thirteen members of the Young Conway Volunteers (YCV) band successfully appealed their convictions for provocatively playing the sectarian Famine Song outside St Patrick's Church on Donegall Street on July 12, 2012.

Mr Bryson said last night the commission should now overturn its decision to ban Bangor Protestant Boys from marching past the same church during an Apprentice Boys parade on Saturday.

The loyalist is a deacon in Bangor Protestant Boys.

"Given that the previous ruling in relation to the YCV band, which I felt was preposterous in the first place, no longer stands, it is our contention that the Parades Commission's reference to that now non-existent court ruling in Saturday's determination makes it fatally flawed and therefore must be reviewed," he said.

"The events in Belfast Court have called into question the integrity of all the so-called parade related charges brought by the PPS and PSNI under the Public Processions Act legislation and indeed also Public order legislation. These charges are pie in sky attempts to abuse legislation in order to bring forth political charges in an attempt to break the back of Unionist parading culture via a policy of criminalisation.

"I would be amazed if the Parades Commission refuse to overturn their flawed ruling for Saturday, the basis for it has been blown out of the water by virtue of the appeal in the case of the YCV Flute Band."

Sinn Féin councillor JJ Magee, who filmed YCV bandsmen marching in circles outside the church in 2012, said he was disappointed by yesterday's ruling.

But he pointed out the bandsmen had agreed to be bound over to keep the peace.

"All marches past St Patrick's Church should be respectful and we will continue to monitor the behaviour of this band in future to ensure they meet the commitments made today in court," he said.

SDLP North Belfast assembly member Alban Maginness said: "I think the fact that they were bound over and agreed to be bound over to keep the peace is an appropriate restraint".

The County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast last night welcomed the court's decision.

A County Grand Lodge spokesman said: "We are glad that justice has finally been achieved for these band members who had been wrongly vilified by the media and nationalism. There never was an intent to cause offence."