Orange bands flout Parades Commission ruling on Twelfth

THERE was the real worry on Saturday that last year’s rioting in Woodvale, north Belfast, after unionists’ refusal to accept the Parades Commission ruling blocking the Orange Order parade returning past Ardoyne might be repeated at this year’s Twelfth.

In the end, the day passed off relatively peacefully.

So while the greater focus of the mainstream media and commentators was on what might happen when the return Orange parade was blocked at the Woodvale, the situation at St Patrick’s on Donegall Street bubbled below the surface.

And in case people lose sight of the reality for nationalists living in flashpoint areas, the arrogance and bigotry that are the hallmark of Orange parades were in abundance outside the Catholic church.

During the outward parade there were numerous instances of ingrained bigotry as bands broke the Parades Commission’s determination by striking up the infamous ‘Famine Song’ as soon as they passed the church and before they were authorised to play.

There were also the calculated instances of bigotry as Orange marchers insulted residents, sang loyalist songs under their breathe, or ‘gave the finger’ to those protesting at the side of the road.

A number of marchers involved in these acts were clearly under the influence of alcohol.

A member of the Orange Order assaulted a photographer and was abused by another Orangeman – former ‘Shankill Butcher’ Eddie McIlwaine (see below).

On the return journey on Saturday evening, there was minor trouble in Donegall Street as a group of clearly drunk loyalist ‘hangers-on’ tried to accompany bands and lodges past St Patrick’s Church but the trouble was easily controlled by the PSNI.

One band played Abide With Me, a Protestant hymn, as it passed St Patrick’s while evening Mass was celebrated.

During the week, residents had called on the Orange Order to reroute away from Donegall Street so the bands cannot argue ignorance in their defence.

So if people were relieved that there was no violence there were plenty of reminders of what the Twelfth is about. 

•  AS a photographer assaulted by an Orange Order member during Saturday's Twelfth parade in north Belfast gave a statement to a PSNI officer, Orangeman Eddie McIlwaine abused the victim.

McIlwaine (pictured above) was part of the notorious ‘Shankill Butchers’ UVF gang, led by Lenny Murphy, which carried out 19 killings between 1975 and 1977.

McIlwaine, a former Ulster Defence Regiment soldier, was arrested in June 1977 and charged with the kidnapping and wounding of Gerard McLaverty, the last of the Butchers’ Catholic victims.

He was sentenced to 15 years in jail in 1979 for kidnapping, assault and possession of weapons with intent.

McIlwaine was involved in public controversy in the early 2000s when he carried a bannerette honouring UVF killer Brian Robinson during the Orange Order’s Whiterock parade on the Springfield Road.

The Shankill Star Band still honour Robinson with his name inscribed on their bass drum.

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