Sinn Fein/IRA orchestrated areas of conflict

Lurgan

Here we have nationalists and republicans rioting against the British Army after a parade by members of the ABOD who were commemorating the "Brave thirteen" Apprentice Boys, who closed the gates in Londonderry. Were is the 'parity of esteem' for members of the Protestant community from these Roman Catholic nationalists?

Bottom left, we have republican nationalists rioting against the Army and the RUC after a parade by the Apprentice boys was given the all clear by the Parades Commission. As you can see the decision did not suit them so once again they resorted to violence to try and prevent any other parades in the future. A very common tactic which the "IRA Sinn Fein controlled resident groups" use.

The Sinn Fein member for the Lurgan area is Dara O'Hagan pictured on the right. Her father was a IRA member for 60 years who believed in the use of violence to further the republican aim. So with her up bringing it is no surprise to learn she is twisted and full of hatred for all things British and Protestant in Northern Ireland. To learn more about Dara O'Hagan "Click here" and "Here"

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson has condemned nationalist violence at an Orange parade in Lurgan on Saturday evening, 19-06-2000. The police and army came under attack from nationalist rioters protesting at an Orange Order parade. Speaking on Monday during a visit to Edenbrook primary school in Belfast, Mr Mandelson said the violence following the Northern Ireland Parades Commission decision not to place restrictions on the march was "wrong and unhelpful". "The Parades Commission had a very difficult job to do and I think people should respect their decisions, whichever way they go," he said.

The police said about 30 petrol bombs, as well as ball bearings and golf balls were thrown at the security forces. Three police officers and one soldier were slightly injured in the violence and one man was arrested. Three people were hit by baton rounds during the clashes which lasted for about an hour, the police added.

Sinn Fein said the commission's decision to allow the march, into what it said was a nationalist area, had been "sheer folly". It said the commission must take the blame for what happened. A number of houses were damaged by missiles thrown during the clashes. "It was sheer folly to allow this march to go ahead," said Sinn Fein assembly member Dara O'Hagan.

But David Jones, press officer for the Orange Order's Portadown district, said it was nationalists and republicans who were at fault. "Once again it's regrettable even though the Parades Commission made a decision to allow the march through that area, nationalists and republicans decided to vent their anger on the RUC," he said. "Again we can see they have absolutely no intention of living up to the mutual respect principle they are so fond of quoting from the Belfast Agreement."

Violence broke out in the William Street area of the town despite large numbers of troops and police in riot gear at flashpoint areas. An RUC spokesman said an estimated 25-30 petrol bombs had been thrown at security forces and police fired three plastic bullets at rioters during the clashes.

Letter of protest

The Parades Commission had imposed restrictions on music being played while the march was in the Church Place and William Street areas of the town. Orangemen handed in a letter of protest about the restrictions to the police. But district master of the Orange Order in Lurgan, John Crozier, criticised the Parades Commission for imposing the restrictions. John Crozier: Critical of restrictions He said: "I think in part of the United Kingdom where a band is not even allowed to play hymns, it is ridiculous altogether and I think that something like that needs to be seriously looked at."

However, Social Democratic and Labour Party councillor Kieron McGeown said Parades Commission decisions could not be "nitpicked". "The William Street area is predominately a business-orientated street, in so far as the number of residents in the area that the parade goes down, is not substantial.

"Those business people rightly disagree with them coming down that street and so do we. "But the Parades Commission is in place. We may not agree with their decisions, but at the same time we don't believe they can be nitpicked. We have to stick by them."

This was the first time in several years a parade had been allowed into the area, and although trouble flared, it did not involve any of those taking part in the march.