24 September 1998 Edition
Orange ``PR stunt''
By Sean O Tuama
The Lower Ormeau Concerned Community (LOCC) denounced last weekend's seminar by the Ballynafeigh Orange Order as ``nothing more than a cynical attempt to get around the Parades Commission's wish to see dialogue or efforts at dialogue.''
Although a broad section of public figures was invited to what an LOCC spokesperson described as a ``self serving PR exercise'', an Orange Order spokesperson announced on local radio that people from the Lower Ormeau were neither invited nor welcome at the event.
At the seminar PUP leader, David Ervine, urged the Order to engage in dialogue with residents groups to avoid a repeat of the violence which occurred at Drumcree. However David Jones, a Portadown Orangeman, declared that the Drumcree standoff would continue. He said, ``time is ticking. We're still there. We'll remain on the hill until we can march down the Garvaghy Road.''
The Lower Ormeau Concerned Community (LOCC) denounced last weekend's seminar by the Ballynafeigh Orange Order as ``nothing more than a cynical attempt to get around the Parades Commission's wish to see dialogue or efforts at dialogue.''
Although a broad section of public figures was invited to what an LOCC spokesperson described as a ``self serving PR exercise'', an Orange Order spokesperson announced on local radio that people from the Lower Ormeau were neither invited nor welcome at the event.
At the seminar PUP leader, David Ervine, urged the Order to engage in dialogue with residents groups to avoid a repeat of the violence which occurred at Drumcree. However David Jones, a Portadown Orangeman, declared that the Drumcree standoff would continue. He said, ``time is ticking. We're still there. We'll remain on the hill until we can march down the Garvaghy Road.''