After 5 days of rioting in Northern Ireland.....

[mammutly]

Police officers injured, communities terrorised, transport disrupted, the economy suffering. The lowest recorded number of shoppers daring to venture out, and after all the appeals for calm. What do they do? Apply for another parade this Saturday. It's an overused phrase, but you couldn't make it up.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-23343167" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-23343167</a>

Seriously, these people need to get out more.

 

[intheknow!]

Police officers injured, communities terrorised, transport disrupted, the economy suffering. The lowest recorded number of shoppers daring to venture out, and after all the appeals for calm. What do they do? Apply for another parade this Saturday. It's an overused phrase, but you couldn't make it up.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-23343167" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-23343167</a>

Seriously, these people need to get out more.

TBH a certain section of the 'loyalist' community have been shafted. During the peace process they have been forgotten and have become disenfranchised. Why shouldn't they be allowed to celebrate their history and culture via parades? Other communities in all parts of the UK are encouraged to celebrate their history and culture. As far as I can see all this trouble has been because the Parade Commission banned a part of the route or something, maybe if they had just let them do their normal march, things wouldn't be kicking off.

When people feel disenfranchised or left behind or like they haven't got a voice how else are they supposed to be heard? What do you want them to do?

 

[hilts]

Police officers injured, communities terrorised, transport disrupted, the economy suffering. The lowest recorded number of shoppers daring to venture out, and after all the appeals for calm. What do they do? Apply for another parade this Saturday. It's an overused phrase, but you couldn't make it up.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-23343167" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-23343167</a>

Seriously, these people need to get out more.

They do want to get out more that's the problem

 

[Blue Tooth]

Police officers injured, communities terrorised, transport disrupted, the economy suffering. The lowest recorded number of shoppers daring to venture out, and after all the appeals for calm. What do they do? Apply for another parade this Saturday. It's an overused phrase, but you couldn't make it up.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-23343167" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-23343167</a>

Seriously, these people need to get out more.

TBH a certain section of the 'loyalist' community have been shafted. During the peace process they have been forgotten and have become disenfranchised. Why shouldn't they be allowed to celebrate their history and culture via parades? Other communities in all parts of the UK are encouraged to celebrate their history and culture. As far as I can see all this trouble has been because the Parade Commission banned a part of the route or something, maybe if they had just let them do their normal march, things wouldn't be kicking off.

When people feel disenfranchised or left behind or like they haven't got a voice how else are they supposed to be heard? What do you want them to do?

I think it's the route rather than the parade that is the issue.

 

[Hamann Pineapple]

Why don't they go for a nice walk in the country ?

 

[tidyman]

Don't worry. They'll be a couple of thousand Celtic fans arriving next week for the Champions League qualifier.

That'll calm the situation down.

 

[Blue Mist]

To put some background to this story;
For many many years the Loyalists had a set route. Part of that route is through a Republican stronghold. Since the peace talks the Loyalists have had to obtain permission each year to undertake the walk. Last year Republicans rioted as a protest against hundreds of Loyalists walking 'in their area'. As a result the Parades Commission decided that this year that part of the route was banned and so now the loyalist are rioting.
It is a sad but evil downward spiral that threatened normal peoples lives.

On the mainland you have to apply for permission to hold a march in much the same way, the National Front are often denied permission so it is no excuse to quote years of history.

The Loyalist seem to want to prove that they are part of Great Britain and think that behaving like viscous thugs will show their love for a United Kingdom. If any Loyalist rioters are reading this (I know I know) I despise you and everything you stand for. You do not represent me or anyone I know.

 

[jimharri]

Another problem is that the routes for these marches are as old as the hills. Years ago, most of the so-called ''contentious'' areas were highly likely to have been Loyalist/Unionist/Protestant areas and therefore there was no problem with the marches. However, changing demographics in the North has meant that many people (on either side) have moved to better areas and people from ''the other lot'' (!) have moved in which means that areas that were predominantly Loyalist now may have a large (if not majority) Republican population. And vice versa. However, because of ''history'' (the weight on the shoulders of that country; both traditions),the Orange Order want to maintain the established route for their parades. Drumcree is an example. The order parade up to the church for their service through a Loyalist area, and there's no problems. However, they then have a route back into town that goes along a road that was (I believe) largely populated by Unionists but is now mainly a Catholic/Republican area. It's a pity that the moderates on each side can't get their heads together and find a way to get round these problems. Unfortunately, the hardliners will not ''surrender'' to the other tradition. Sad.

 

[Kakhaber Tskhadadze K.O.T.A.]

Don't worry. They'll be a couple of thousand Celtic fans arriving next week for the Champions League qualifier.

That'll calm the situation down.

Aren't they playing over there tonight - last i heard
Celtic were one nil up

 

[jimharri]

Don't worry. They'll be a couple of thousand Celtic fans arriving next week for the Champions League qualifier.

That'll calm the situation down.

Aren't they playing over there tonight - last i heard
Celtic were one nil up

2 nil; gorgeous George with the second. On BBC2 Northern Ireland.