An arson attack on a Catholic church in Ballymena prompted the RUC to take a tougher line against loyalist protests.
Northern Ireland Office files highlight SDLP politician Sean Farren's concerns about "sinister" protests at the Church Of Our Lady in Harryville, Ballymena, Co Antrim which began in September 1996.
The protests were in response to nationalist opposition to Orange parades in the Co Antrim village of Dunloy.
An NIO memo noted that although the protests had been condemned by the British government, the mayor of Ballymena and Robert Salters, Grand Master of the Orange Order, this had not deterred a hard core of demonstrators who "guarded their anonymity closely".
Following violent clashes between 500 loyalists and police at the church, RUC Assistant Chief Constable Beaney told the NIO police had hoped the protests "would die a natural death".
However, he said an arson attack on the church had sparked "revulsion" in Ballymena. He said police would set up a cordon to ensure that "trouble-makers were kept away from the church and (the police) would promptly arrest any protesters causing a breach of the peace".
ACC Beaney said police were working to prevent further attacks in Ballymena and had arrested six people which would have "a dampening effect".
The North Antrim UDA-linked UDP - one of the loyalist parties involved in all-party talks - was seen by the RUC as being behind the protests.
The ACC regarded it as significant that the party’s leader, Gary McMichael, had kept a very low profile on the issue in contrast to the "up front condemnations" of PUP leader David Ervine.
The protests at Harryville continued throughout the late 1990s. In May 1997, loyalist protesters again clashed with the RUC. In June, some loyalists broke into the church and attempted to set it on fire. The picket was finally called off in May 1999.
