Tension and fear in Derry
uncharacteristic tension and fear mounted in Derry this week.
Hot on the heels of the UDA murder attempt on two quiet Catholic
brothers living in a mixed estate in the Waterside, a prominent
loyalist issued a blunt warning that he could not guarantee the
safety of Catholics who continued to live in mixed estates in the
Waterside. Both events are seen as blatant threats to the
nationalist community that worse is to come unless nationalists
back down from insisting that Apprentice Boys speak to local
residents over the August 8 march which effectively shuts down
the city for a day.
News that last week's meeting of the Civic Forum will not
re-convene until August 8th, the very day of the Apprentice Boys
march shatters any slim hope created when this body met last
week.
Minimal progress was made when loyal orders and Unionist
politicians finally met in the same room with representatives of
the rest of the city, including the Bogside Residents Group.
Direct dialogue was not engaged in, however, and the meeting was
inconclusive. Donncha MacNiallais expressed grave concern about
this development.
Last week it was proposed that, as it would be impossible to
discuss matters effectively with 130 members of any group, two
working groups be set up, one to look at parades and the other at
Protestant alienation, which would report back to the larger
group with proposals. It appears however that the loyal orders
are not prepared to participate in these working groups, and will
not meet again before 8 August.
Donncha MacNiallais renewed his appeal on behalf of the residents
that talks be entered into. Meanwhile, in the face of continued
opposition by the loyal orders to negotiations, the Bogside
Residents Group have applied to hold a protest at the Diamond on
8 August.
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