3 September 1998 Edition
Black Preceptory meets Newry residents
The Royal Black Preceptory (RBP) voluntarily rerouted their parade in Newry last Saturday following an historic series of meetings attended by the RBP, local residents, councillors and business leaders.
The meetings were held at the initiative of Newry and Mourne Council, led by its Chairman Brendan Curran of Sinn Féin. Members of the Parades Commission and the Mediation Network also attended, along with representatives of the local Protestant community.
Describing the three meetings as ``an historic breakthrough'', Kevin Byrne of the Newry Coalition Against Sectarian Marches said the RBP decision was ``a victory for common sense, dialogue and accommodation.''
The Royal Black Preceptory had indicated that they were taking part in the meetings ``to educate and inform'' and not to negotiate but as the meetings continued there was inevitable dialogue and negotiation. ``The route they finally took was one which the Newry Coalition proposed in the meetings. It avoided the contentious areas at the bottom of Canal Street and Sugar Island,'' Byrne said.
Over 20,000 took part in Saturday's march, representing Black Preceptories from throughout Co Down and despite the re-routing there was severe traffic disruption in and around Newry until early evening, causing anger in the overwhelmingly nationalist town. At one stage there was a three mile tailback on the Tandragee Road to the north of the town, including many buses taking music fans to the concert in Slane.
The meetings were held at the initiative of Newry and Mourne Council, led by its Chairman Brendan Curran of Sinn Féin. Members of the Parades Commission and the Mediation Network also attended, along with representatives of the local Protestant community.
Describing the three meetings as ``an historic breakthrough'', Kevin Byrne of the Newry Coalition Against Sectarian Marches said the RBP decision was ``a victory for common sense, dialogue and accommodation.''
The Royal Black Preceptory had indicated that they were taking part in the meetings ``to educate and inform'' and not to negotiate but as the meetings continued there was inevitable dialogue and negotiation. ``The route they finally took was one which the Newry Coalition proposed in the meetings. It avoided the contentious areas at the bottom of Canal Street and Sugar Island,'' Byrne said.
Over 20,000 took part in Saturday's march, representing Black Preceptories from throughout Co Down and despite the re-routing there was severe traffic disruption in and around Newry until early evening, causing anger in the overwhelmingly nationalist town. At one stage there was a three mile tailback on the Tandragee Road to the north of the town, including many buses taking music fans to the concert in Slane.