Maginness: Parades Commission must reverse disastrous Ardoyne decision
Mon 30th November

SDLP North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness said the Parades Commission decision to permit a band commemorating a UVF murderer to march past Ardoyne defies logic and common sense.

He said: “We have enough on our plate without this disastrous addition to an Apprentice Boys parade. The Shankill Star band commemorates a UVF murderer and the evidence is right there on their logo on the side of their drum. Brian Robinson murdered Patrick McKenna 20 years ago right there at the Ardoyne flashpoint.

“In its determination the Parades Commission says there should be no display of symbols relating to a proscribed organisation or paramilitary member. How do they square this with the Shankill Star drums? There are other bands that the Ballysillan Apprentice Boys could have included and it is beyond belief that the Commission bought the argument that the Shankill Star band was chosen for its ‘musicality’.

“This would have been a bad decision at any time. Right now, with political stalemate and the threat of melt-down, with attempts at mob rule in Portadown, it will play straight into the hands of Republican dissidents waiting eagerly in the wings.  The SDLP will seek an urgent review of this foolish decision on the grounds that the requirement for no paramilitary displays has not been met and cannot be met if this band takes part.”

Note to editors

Determination: Ligoniel Walker Apprentice Boys http://www.paradescommission.org/parades/?parade=29488