Black Preceptory meets Newry residents
The Royal Black Preceptory (RBP) voluntarily rerouted their
parade in Newry last Saturday following an historic series of
meetings attended by the RBP, local residents, councillors and
business leaders.
The meetings were held at the initiative of Newry and Mourne
Council, led by its Chairman Brendan Curran of Sinn Féin. Members
of the Parades Commission and the Mediation Network also
attended, along with representatives of the local Protestant
community.
Describing the three meetings as ``an historic breakthrough'',
Kevin Byrne of the Newry Coalition Against Sectarian Marches said
the RBP decision was ``a victory for common sense, dialogue and
accommodation.''
The Royal Black Preceptory had indicated that they were taking
part in the meetings ``to educate and inform'' and not to negotiate
but as the meetings continued there was inevitable dialogue and
negotiation. ``The route they finally took was one which the Newry
Coalition proposed in the meetings. It avoided the contentious
areas at the bottom of Canal Street and Sugar Island,'' Byrne
said.
Over 20,000 took part in Saturday's march, representing Black
Preceptories from throughout Co Down and despite the re-routing
there was severe traffic disruption in and around Newry until
early evening, causing anger in the overwhelmingly nationalist
town. At one stage there was a three mile tailback on the
Tandragee Road to the north of the town, including many buses
taking music fans to the concert in Slane.
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