Republican News · Thursday 14 March 2002

Orange Order snubs families of bookies dead

Showing typical insensitivity, the Orange Order has rejected a plea by the families of the five Catholics shot dead in the 1992 Bookies massacre to voluntarily reroute its future parades away from the Lower Ormeau Road.

The families of the dead, Peter Magee (18) James Kennedy (15) Christy Doherty (51) William McManus (54) and Jack Duffin (66), called on the Orange Order to "recognise that parades are bound up with our suffering and to further recognise that parading in such a situation benefits neither marchers nor residents".

In response, Noel Liggett, a spokesperson for Ballynafeigh Orange Lodge, denied that the Orangeman had received a letter before, saying "it appears that this letter is asking us to challenge our beliefs when on the other side they are not prepared to challenge their own beliefs.

"People on both sides have to accept that there are painful things which have to happen for the greater good," added Liggett, appearing to suggest that the Lower Ormeau Road community must set aside their grief to allow sectarian marchers a right of passage along their streets.

In their letter to the Orange Order, sent on Wednesday 6 March, the relatives of those killed by the UDA on 5 February 1992 explained to the Orange Order that "in making this call we are not attempting to exclude anyone reasonable expression of their rights or heritage.

"Rather we are asking you to recognise that parades are bound up with our suffering and to further recognise that parading in such a situation benefits neither marchers or residents."

The families went to say they believed "there are acceptable alternative routes which satisfy the needs of marchers without hurting anyone and we urge you to use those alternative for future parades.

"The voluntary re-routing of parades away from the Lower Ormeau Road would be seen as making a major contribution to peace and reconciliation in this area and would lift a heavy burden from those in this area who have already suffered so much as a result of past events on the Ormeau Road."

Liggett however, ruled out any decision on the part of the Orange Order to reroute its parades, adding that a parade could "take place in a dignified and respectful manner".

What Liggett choose to ignore was that just months after the bookies killings Orange marchers goaded Ormeau residents during a parade by raising their hands in the air in a five fingered, 5-0, salute. Then in July 1998, the day after the three Quinn brothers were burnt to death in Ballymoney by UVF arsonists, the Orange Order marched along the Lower Ormeau Road.

That march, dubbed the March of Shame, saw the Orange Order ignore the pleas of nationalists to call off their parade on the Ormeau Road as a mark of respect for the Quinn boys.