Individuals who breached Parades Commission rules at Easter commemoration marches across the north will be pursued through the courts, according to Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin.
The senior PSNI officer was speaking after complaints of suspected breaches on Sunday by dissident republican supporters in Coalisland, Co Tyrone and un-notified processions in Ardoyne, north Belfast and Lurgan, Co Armagh.
Up to 60 men and women dressed in military-style clothing paraded in Coalisland at a march organised by the National Republican Commemorative Committee, which is affiliated to prisoners aligned to the group calling itself the 'IRA'. Earlier this month, the 'IRA' claimed responsibility for the explosion which killed prison officer Adrian Ismay.
Police are also investigating two separate parades on Sunday which are thought to have taken place without proper authorisation. The Easter commemoration in Ardoyne was organised by Republican Network for Unity and featured a recorded address by prisoner Tony Taylor, while supporters of Continuity IRA gathered in Lurgan, where masked men led the procession through the Kilwilkee estate.
In a statement issued yesterday, ACC Martin said the police wanted to ensure all parades and protests passed off lawfully and peacefully. He said his officers' focus was on keeping communities safe and that their job in most instances had been made easier by a responsible attitude from march organisers.
"We are however, investigating suspected breaches of Parades Commission determinations in Coalisland and un-notified processions in Ardoyne and Lurgan," he said.
"We have gathered evidence at these events and will present reports to the Public Prosecution Service with a view to holding individuals accountable."
ACC Martin said that numerous commemoration events across the north had passed off largely successfully and without any serious incident.
"Large numbers of people have attended events, in many locations, the vast majority of whom have done so in a spirit of historical commemoration," he said.
