Newcastle Loyalist band parade offensive and wrong

Fra Cochrane
Uladh Organiser
Ógra Shinn Féin

The recent incomprehensible decision by the Parade’s Commission to allow a large Loyalist band parade through the prominently nationalist village of Rasharkin in county Antrim is yet another example, if one were needed, that shows why the Parade’s Commission is manifestly failing in its duty to adjudicate on these matters fairly.

As someone who attended the residents' protest on the night in question, I witnessed how despicably the bands behaved throughout what was unquestionably a sectarian coat-trailing exercise. Bands named after deceased Loyalist gunmen and carrying unionist paramilitary flags got the loudest cheers from the rabble bussed in to support the march.


The residents opposed to the event were hemmed in by riot police and steel barriers yet still made clear their anger and opposition to the event. Once again the rights’ of local people were trampled upon so bigots could exercise their right to march the ‘queen’s highway’.On Saturday the 12th of September, the Star of Maghera Flute Band is to host a similar event in Newcastle with up to 38 loyalist bands from throughout the six counties participating.

The fact that the parade will be held in a predominately nationalist town means it is not welcomed by the vast majority of local people and visitors to Newcastle who will find it grossly offensive and as equally unacceptable as the Rasharkin parade. From the hours of 7:30pm to 11pm, Newcastle will become a virtual no go area for residents and visitors alike who will be forced to go elsewhere whilst Loyalists, the vast majority of whom are not even from the locality, take over the town. The event, will also have serious implications for the local business community, particularly taxi drivers, publicans and food outlets.

To make matters worse, the organisers’ of the parade do little more than pay lip service to engaging with local people in an attempt to address their concerns. Despite this, no sanction is ever imposed on them for failing to even try and reach a more acceptable accommodation and as a result the people of Newcastle are treated like second class citizens.

Undoubtedly, as in previous years, Loyalist bandsmen and their supporters will be free to drink alcohol on the streets, urinate in people’s gardens, cause damage to property and sing and shout sectarian abuse at anyone who doesn’t share their warped sense of history. In all likelihood the Parade's Commission will give the green light for this parade, without even imposing minor restrictions. By doing so, they are treating local people with contempt. The potential is there to bring trouble to the town and this event should be banned.

The PSNI also need to take action. It is not good enough to simply observe the parade and allow supporters of the march to openly consume alcohol on the street, contrary to Council bylaws.

They need to identify the culprits and deal with them on the night or at a later date. The same must apply to bands who behave offensively or display illegal flags and emblems.

As always I would call on the public, especially young people, not to react to the behaviour of the bands and their supporters maintain calmness at all times for the benefit of the whole town.