2 September 1999 Edition

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Nationalist anger at sectarian parade in Newry

TWENTY-NINE loyalist bands and over a thousand Orange marchers paraded through Newry on Friday, 27 August, hemming nationalists into their houses for over three hours. Sinn Féin Councillor Davy Hyland called the move a ``clearly sectarian exercise''.

The march was allowed to continue along the Belfast and Downshire Roads, which are mainly nationalist.

Nationalist anger has, however, been focused on the participation of an LVF band, the Loyal Sons of Benagh, County Down. This was the first loyalist band to be presented with the LVF standard.

Outrage has been fuelled by the openly sectarian nature of the parade and the fact that residents were not consulted by the Parades Commission.

Davy Hyland said: ``The people of this area hope this is the last time such a march takes place.''

An Phoblacht
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Ireland