20 August 1998 Edition
SF praises nationalist marchers
Sinn Fein Assembly member for South Down Mick Murphy has commended the behaviour of the nationalist bands and their supporters for their behaviour at the annual 15 August parade in Kilkeel.
Murphy said, ``responding to calls from concerned nationalists I attended the annual parade in Kilkeel and was amazed by the resilience and dignity of the local nationalist population in the face of provocation from both the RUC and loyalist protesters. Their behaviour is in stark contrast to the triumphalist manner in which loyalist bands and their onlookers attempt to impose their culture on the nationalist community not only in Kilkeel but also throughout the Mournes.''
He said the protest by loyalists had the sole purpose of attempting to provoke the nationalist community and foment sectarian tensions. ``Unfortunately, nationalists in the Mournes are well accustomed to behaviour such as this but even they and indeed the impartial observers were horrified and disgusted to hear the mob chanting slogans such as ``three nil'' in reference to the deaths of the Quinn brothers in Ballymoney,'' he said.
Murphy described the RUC as heavy handed. ``They heightened tensions in an already volatile situation. The RUC swamped the nationalist side of the street with both landrovers and personnel corralling the nationalists off the main street not only for the duration of the parade but throughtout the day. By their actions the RUC prevented nationalists from even indulging in routine daily business such as shopping and the collection of precriptions.''
Murphy said, ``responding to calls from concerned nationalists I attended the annual parade in Kilkeel and was amazed by the resilience and dignity of the local nationalist population in the face of provocation from both the RUC and loyalist protesters. Their behaviour is in stark contrast to the triumphalist manner in which loyalist bands and their onlookers attempt to impose their culture on the nationalist community not only in Kilkeel but also throughout the Mournes.''
He said the protest by loyalists had the sole purpose of attempting to provoke the nationalist community and foment sectarian tensions. ``Unfortunately, nationalists in the Mournes are well accustomed to behaviour such as this but even they and indeed the impartial observers were horrified and disgusted to hear the mob chanting slogans such as ``three nil'' in reference to the deaths of the Quinn brothers in Ballymoney,'' he said.
Murphy described the RUC as heavy handed. ``They heightened tensions in an already volatile situation. The RUC swamped the nationalist side of the street with both landrovers and personnel corralling the nationalists off the main street not only for the duration of the parade but throughtout the day. By their actions the RUC prevented nationalists from even indulging in routine daily business such as shopping and the collection of precriptions.''