During a period when the Brexit crisis has cast an increasingly dark shadow over all parts of Ireland, it is important to recognise the efforts of those who are striving quietly but effectively to reduce tension in key areas.
The anger caused when loyalist marchers engaged in blatantly provocative actions during an Apprentice Boys event in Derry earlier this month could have seriously undermined the heartening progress made on parading issues in the city and elsewhere over many years.
Members of the Clyde Valley flute band from Larne displayed emblems in support of `Soldier F’ and the Parachute Regiment as they took part in the annual Relief of Derry gathering in the overwhelmingly nationalist city on August 10.
They were well aware that Soldier F is due to appear in court shortly charged with two murders and four attempted murders on Bloody Sunday in Derry in 1972 when 28 civilians were shot, 14 fatally, by the British Army.
Some unionist politicians completed misjudged the gravity of the situation by failing to recognise the hurt felt by the Bloody Sunday families and instead criticising attempts by the police to interview band members about their behaviour.
All the elements were in place for a full break-down in the understandings which had been patiently developed over a prolonged period, with major implications for future loyalist demonstrations in Derry.
Fortunately, the leaders of the Apprentice Boys were swiftly able to publicly stress that they had no prior knowledge of the Soldier F emblem, and accepted that the episode had resulted in `upset to many in the nationalist community.’
It was an intervention which was widely appreciated, and it was followed, as we reported yesterday, by a further positive engagement which has helped to move matters forward.
A statement released by one of the participants, Tony Doherty, said simply, `Members of the Bloody Sunday Trust and the Apprentice Boys of Derry had a cordial and constructive meeting this evening to discuss the events of August 10 and to continue to work to restore relationships in the city.’
As long as nationalists and unionists are able to offer the hand of friendship to each other in this way, there is reason for optimism that solutions to other difficulties which remain in place across our divided society are capable of being found.
