Black Preceptory Parade raises tensions in East Belfast

Sinn Féin East Belfast representative Niall O’Donnghaile has lambasted the Black Preceptory for it’s blatant disregard for Short Strand residents when for the second year running it played the ‘Sash’ outside St Matthews Church in the Short Strand last weekend. This was in breach of a parades commission ruling earlier this week. “There is frustration locally that the Black Preceptory repeated the disgraceful scenes of last year during its parade this morning when the ‘sash’ was played outside St Matthews Church in the Short Strand. “This organisation showed disregard for the residents of the area and blatantly flouted the restrictions imposed by the Parades Commission. “We all need to recognise that marching within areas where there is deep animosity does little to encourage good community relations. This is an interface area where much good work has gone on in recent months. Today there is a lot of anger in Short Strand”, O’Donnghaile said.