LOYALISTS are to stage a protest during a republican parade through Belfast city centre tomorrow to mark the calendar anniversary of the Easter Rising.
The parade, which is expected to attract up to 400 participants and two bands, has been organised by a newly-established group called Aontacht, which is Irish for unity.
The Parades Commission has placed restrictions on the march which is due to begin in the New Lodge area of north Belfast at 11am before making its way through the city centre to Divis Street where an Easter Rising plaque will be unveiled an hour later.
Aontacht was formed following a similar parade last year and is made up of 'non-aligned' republicans.
Chairman Tony Harrison last night said that the restrictions were put in place after his organisation voluntarily offered not to play music along sections of the route.
Restrictions imposed include a ruling to play only a single drum beat while passing along Donegall Street from its junction with north Queen Street and Royal Avenue.
A similar restriction has been placed as the march makes its way past a memorial to two UDR members killed by the IRA on Royal Avenue between the junction of North Queen Street and Lower Garfield Street.
Up to 100 loyalists have been given permission by the Parades Commission to hold a protest close to the memorial site.
Last year's march, dubbed the 'People's Parade', attempted to recreate a parade which took place through west Belfast in 1966 to mark the 50th anniversary of the rising.
Parade organisers have told the commission that some of those taking part will wear “period costume coats” and that “theatrical replica weapons” carried during the parade will be checked by the PSNI.
Mr Harrison said he isn’t expecting any trouble.
“As I said to the Parades Commission there will be no trouble from our side, our side will be well stewarded,” he said.
The commission said it was necessary to place conditions on the parade.
“The decision is set against the background of continuing local community tension,” it said.
Meanwhile, Aontacht will be hosting a ‘Republic Day’ event at Milltown Cemetery on Monday – the calendar anniversary of the rising.
Those taking part will walk from the gates of the cemetery to the Harbinson Plot where the Proclamation will be read out.
