Orangemen attack photographer during 'Christian' parade

A FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER was attacked by Orangemen during the Orange Order’s controversial Whiterock parade along the nationalist Springfield Road in Belfast on Saturday.

Senior DUP politicians Nigel Dodds, Nelson McCausland and Brian Kingston, as well as leading loyalist Winston Irvine of the Progressive Unionist Party, witnessed the attack in what is ostensibly a parade to uphold Christian values.

Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan said that the man had to be dragged to safety by stewards at a nationalist residents' group protest. 

He described it as an "unprovoked assault" on the photographer and he wants the PSNI to take action against those involved in the attack.

At the head of the Orange parade was leading Orangeman George Chittick, whose disparaging remarks about the Irish language caused controversy.

Also taking part in the parade was the Cloughfern Young Conquerors, a unionist band associated with slain UDA leader John Gregg.

Gregg and his sidekick, Rab Carson, were shot dead in a loyalist feud in February 2003 and the band’s insignia and side-drums display their names and UDA ranks.

❑  SINN FÉIN MLA John O'Dowd has praised everyone who ensured that Saturday night passed off peacefully in Portadown despite high tensions over parades.

John O’Dowd said:

“Tensions were high in Portadown leading up to the proposed contentious parade. There could very easily have been the wrong decisions made in the heat of the moment.  However, the opposite proved to be the case.

"All sides deserve credit for ensuring the night passed off peacefully. It is a credit to all involved that trouble was averted.”