Northern Ireland

Rasharkin residents call off parade protest

Protesters at a previous loyalist parade through Rasharkin. Picture by Matt Bohill
Protesters at a previous loyalist parade through Rasharkin. Picture by Matt Bohill Protesters at a previous loyalist parade through Rasharkin. Picture by Matt Bohill

A Co Antrim residents’ group has called off a planned protest at a contentious loyalist parade later this week.

Rasharkin Residents’ Association took the decision after the Parades Commission restricted the route of the parade through the mainly nationalist village.

News of the decision came as it emerged that a second group, Rasharkin Residents’ Collective has asked the commission to review a decision to lift a ruling restricting bands to a single drumbeat along a section of the route.

In previous years the parade passed through the village before following a route along country roads and re-entering it again via Glebe Road.

Earlier this week the commission ruled that the parade will not be allowed to return to the village but instead must continue to its starting point along a country road to an area known as the Turnpike.

The time allowed for the parade, which will involve up to 25 bands, has been restricted to 90 minutes from 7.30pm and 9pm

A spokeswoman for the association last night said its decision was taken “in light of the steps taken in this determination".

Both groups had been granted permission to hold two small protests - involving no more than 25 people at each - along the parade route.

RRC spokesman Sean Hanna said that as of last night their protest was going ahead.

A spokesman for the Parades Commission said it has received a review submission.