Ardoyne residents relieved at no return of violence

Parishioners in Belfast’s Ardoyne have expressed relief that for the third consecutive year there has been no violent confrontation between the Nationalist and Loyalist communities during the Twelfth celebrations.

While Monday’s morning parade had been peaceful, Loyalist rioting broke out with police when the return parade was prevented from marching past the Ardoyne shop fronts on the Crumlin Road following a determination by the Parades Commission.

A 16-year-old girl was rushed to hospital when a car, driven by a man in a band uniform, drove into a nationalist crowd knocking down several people, and she became trapped under the vehicle.

Holy Cross parish priest, Fr Gary Donegan, who comforted the girl at the scene, told The Irish Catholic that he was amazed she survived. “How that child is alive and has gotten away with such injuries I do not know. Her guardian angel was protecting her,” he said.

Incident

Fr Donegan said that except for the incident with the car the Twelfth was “more or less peaceful on this side of the community”.

“However it is frustrating that year in, year out people are living with the prospect of violence depending on where the determination goes. People want this situation resolved and communication has already begun for people to sit down and honestly come to some sort of arrangement for next year,” he said.

Meanwhile, several loyalist bands breached a Parades Commission ruling against playing music in the vicinity of St Patricks’ Church in Belfast and some bands were heard to play the sectarian Famine Song and The Sash in earshot of the church.

The Carrick Hill residents had called off a three-year protest outside the church after the determination by the Parades Commission.

Fr Michael Sheehan said the parade in the most part was “respectful, dignified and I think the Orange should be able to see that they are welcome to walk by the community in the parish if they continue to do so with dignity and respect”.