Republican News · Thursday 16 May 2002

Newtownstewart nationalists under siege

Sinn Féin Councillor Charlie McHugh says he has received a litany of complaints from residents of Newtownstewart about the abusive and disruptive activities of Loyalist bandsmen during a major gathering of loyalist bands in the town on Friday night 9 May.

"Following last Friday night's band parade and competition in Newtownstewart, the Parades Commission will again be petitioned to give attention to the disturbance and disruptions caused to residents," he said. "The provocative parade, which was being almost portrayed as a 'community festival', broke every rule of the Commission's Determination of 26 April. Bands paraded with no identifying uniform, bands stopped outside houses and played until after 11pm, areas in full view of residents and children were used as toilets by bandsmen, abuse was shouted at householders and inspite of complaints to members of the RUC/PSNI, no action was taken to move on offenders.

"Last year's marching season in Newtownstewart saw intimidation and attacks on the Catholic chapel and nationalist business properties with pipe bombs and other missiles. Now we have the first major parade of 2002 which also ends in a late night riot amongst parade participants.

"Neither is it acceptable that this main arterial route through our council area should be blocked off for five hours so that residents of Newtownstewart and Mourne Park and Orr Park in particular should be subjected to displays of bigotry and aggression. The connection between parades and community discontent is painfully apparent in Newtownstewart and voices must be heard so that the Parades Commission know that not only is one side of this community not parading but it is being walked all over by a bigoted element from the other side.

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty revealed after the weekend's disturbances that he has written to local unionist Assembly member Derek Hussey three times since the end of last year's marching season seeking talks to try to improve the situation. Doherty said he was disappointed that Hussey, who he believes has considerable influence with the unionist community and among the loyalist band fraternity, had declined to respond to any of the letters.

"In light of events in Newtownstewart on Friday night and with the spectre of further similar events occurring throughout the marching season in this area, I am now making a public appeal to Assembly Member Hussey to meet with me to discuss this issue as a matter of urgency," he said.