St. Patricks Day A.O.H. Parade an Insult to Victims of Violence
|
Original post (by Irish Republican Watch, added Wednesday, 22 May 2002 15:53:27 UTC+1)
St. Patricks Day A.O.H. Parade an Insult to Victims of Violence
On 17th March The Ancient Order of Hibernians was permitted to march a
controversial route through the predominately Protestant fishing town
of Kilkeel, Co. Down. This annual parade has passed of peacefully for
years despite recent hijacking by Republican elements. This year they
were permitted to pass the town's war memorial and cemetary where
certain paramilitary individuals involved in the parade have partaken
in acts of desecration.
controversial route through the predominately Protestant fishing town
of Kilkeel, Co. Down. This annual parade has passed of peacefully for
years despite recent hijacking by Republican elements. This year they
were permitted to pass the town's war memorial and cemetary where
certain paramilitary individuals involved in the parade have partaken
in acts of desecration.
We feel that the decision of the Parades Commission to allow the
parade to be extended to pass the war memorial is an insult to those
who have died in the town and to those buried in the cemetary who
where killed at the hands of Republicans. Parents of victims present
at the scene were even shouted at by people who had been charged with
their murders.
parade to be extended to pass the war memorial is an insult to those
who have died in the town and to those buried in the cemetary who
where killed at the hands of Republicans. Parents of victims present
at the scene were even shouted at by people who had been charged with
their murders.
Even though the A.O.H. is staunchly anti-Protestant and Nationalist in
outlook, local residents have graciously not objected to the parade
given they would have far more justification than the Garvaghy Road
residents. As victims we have no objection in principle to them having
a parade anywhere in Northern Ireland. However, given the abuse
received from those involved in the parade, and the insult it became
to the memory of those who were murdered in Kilkeel and the
surrounding area, if it has to pass the contentious section around the
memorial, we would rather instead it were banned outright and not held
again.
outlook, local residents have graciously not objected to the parade
given they would have far more justification than the Garvaghy Road
residents. As victims we have no objection in principle to them having
a parade anywhere in Northern Ireland. However, given the abuse
received from those involved in the parade, and the insult it became
to the memory of those who were murdered in Kilkeel and the
surrounding area, if it has to pass the contentious section around the
memorial, we would rather instead it were banned outright and not held
again.
No comments:
Post a Comment