Loyalist mob targets Lower Ormeau
By Mick Naughton
The drunken mob of loyalists who pulled down the Lower Ormeau
Road community's festival banner last Saturday evening were
assisted by the RUC and British soldiers from the Royal Irish
Regiment according to residents of the area. It was yet another
sectarian attack which left residents hospitalised and some badly
injured.
The loyalist violence began shortly before 7pm Saturday 26 July
when around two dozen loyalist bandsmen from Donegall Pass, some
wearing `The Son's of the Conquerors' uniform and carrying beer
bottles marched to where the Lower Ormeau's banner was hanging.
Their intention was to tear it down.
Local residents prevented them and the loyalists ran away only to
return with iron bars, bricks and bottles.
According to eyewitnesses over 200 loyalists left what PUP
spokesperson Ernie Purvis called, ``the biggest band competition
of the year in Belfast,'' to launch the attack on the Lower
Ormeau.
A series of vicious attacks then ensued, leaving a local nurse
requiring five stitches for a serious wound. Others were also
injured by the loyalist bandsmen who were assisted by a large
force of RUC and RIR as they pulled down the festival banner.
RUC members taunted residents saying the banner, reading `Fáilte
go Féile Iochtar Ormeau', was now being put up in the Ivy bar.
``They firstly tried to break windows in McClure Street,'' said
residents spokesperson Gerard Rice, ``then they went for the
banner. About 200 bandsmen attacked this area which is trying to
have a festival for all, but obviously the sight of a banner,
saying `Failte' is not understood by these drunken loyalists.''
Local Sinn Fein Councillor Sean Hayes, who was injured by bricks
as he tried to remonstrate with the RUC and loyalists, spoke of
his frustration at their violent actions. Hayes said that the RUC
and RIR formed up on the nationalist side of the railway bridge,
giving the loyalists freedom of movement and let them take the
banner.
``This is an almost impossible position for the people of this
area. We are having an enjoyable festival but people are asking
how we can have any hope of a peaceful future given the sectarian
and partisan behaviour of the crown forces.
``By their actions they ensured that these loyalists were able to
attack this small area at a time when we are approaching the
possibility of the Apprentice Boys march on 9 August and when
tension is rising.
``This combined loyalist assault on nationalist homes has not been
lost on this community. Are these the same bands who, `simply
play hymns' as they pass through nationalist areas.''
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