Maginness calls for all to support McKenna family’s appeal ahead of parade
Fri 4th December

SDLP North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness has called for Nationalists to support the McKenna family’s appeal for no street protest at tomorrow’s Apprentice Boys parade on the Crumlin Road.

He said: “The family of Patrick McKenna, who was murdered in Ardoyne by UVF member Brian Robinson, and the Ardoyne Residents Group have called for no protest to take place on the streets at tomorrow’s parade and I urge people to respect this wish.

 “Understandably there is a great deal of anger in the local community that the Parades Commission has allowed this parade to go ahead and I am extremely disappointed that they have decided not to review their decision as the SDLP requested on November 26.

 “However the people of Ardoyne do not want or need any more trouble. Northern Ireland has moved a great distance but there are still a select few who haven’t taken a single step and are hell-bent on protesting despite the wishes of the McKenna family and the residents of Ardoyne. This displays just how out of touch they are with the local community.

 “I call on everyone to stand by the McKenna family and respect their call for people to stay off the road before, during and after the parade.”