Opinion

Parade rulings must be upheld

Yesterday's anti-internment rally and loyalist counter protest planned for Belfast city centre presented a key test for the PSNI and chief constable George Hamilton.

Two years ago the same parade saw unprecedented scenes of violence in Royal Avenue with large numbers of loyalists attacking officers and causing damage to property while visitors to the Northern Ireland Fire and Police Games looked on in alarm.

This year, the Parades Commission gave permission for the republican rally but imposed a condition that marchers should be clear of the city centre by 1.30pm.

March organisers, the Anti Internment League, indicated it would defy this restriction, further ratcheting up tensions. This tense situation was stoked by a call for loyalists to flood this key shopping area.

It was up to the police to decide how to manage this potentially volatile scenario, ensuring public safety, minimum disruption and the upholding of rights.

In the event, the police imposed a ring of steel while many shops stayed closed for a time. Protesters were allowed into a restricted area and dispersed when it was clear the republican parade would not be passing through.

The PSNI announced it would be upholding the commission's determination and duly stopped anti-internment marchers on the Oldpark Road.

Again, marchers dispersed peacefully although there were disturbances later.

Clearly, the fact that there was no repeat of the disgraceful violence of 2013 in the city centre will be viewed with relief.

There will also be widespread public support for police ensuring the law in respect of parades is upheld.

However, this was still a difficult day for traders and for people who wished to go about their normal business, visiting shops and cafes yesterday.

The sight of streets blocked off by police and armoured vehicles to allow a contentious and misguided march sends out entirely the wrong message about a city which wants to present a modern, open and friendly image to the world.

Meanwhile, a loyalist band has admitted it flouted a Parades Commission ruling banning the playing of music outside St Patrick's Church in Donegall Street, Belfast.

There needs to be a consistent approach on these matters so hopefully we will now see action taken over this deliberate breach.

The band, Bangor Protestant Boys, played a hymn and also, it is reported, the sectarian Famine Song after returning from the Apprentice Boys parade in Derry on Saturday.

A bus carrying people from that event was hit by stones and four passengers hurt in a terrifying attack in Dungiven.

One woman was hit in the face and sustained appalling injuries in what was a frightening incident which must be widely condemned.

We have to find a way of resolving opposing positions on parades but violence and unlawful behaviour is not the answer.