Northern Ireland

Parades Commission rejects loyalist march review

The Parades Commission has rejected a request to review a decision to allow a controversial loyalist band to march past St Patrick's Church this weekend.

Members of the Bangor Protestant Boys caused controversy when they played the sectarian Famine Song close to the Donegall Street Church during an Apprentice Boys parade on Easter Monday.

Last week the Parades Commission granted the band permission to lead up to 55 members of the Apprentice Boys past the church on Saturday.

In the past the Bangor Protestant Boys, which wears UVF-style insignia, has been pictured carrying paramilitary linked flags.

Union flag protester Jamie Bryson is a leading member of the band.

The organisers of an anti-internment parade through Belfast city centre this weekend have also asked the Parades Commission to review a decision to restrict their start time.

It is understood the organisers of a separate republican parade have asked the commission to review a decision to ban the playing of music along Clifton Street during a march on Saturday.

Solicitor Michael Brentnall said the organisers of both parades believe they have grounds for an appeal.