Northern Ireland’s first and deputy first ministers have issued a joint plea for a peaceful marching season in the region.
The Democratic Unionist leader, Arlene Foster, joined Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness in calling for peace on the streets before 12 July, the climax of Orange Order parades across the province.
Foster and McGuinnes were joined by the justice minister, Claire Sugden, an independent unionist, in urging those involved in marches and nationalists protesting against them to “conduct themselves in a dignified and lawful way”.
The three ministers in the power-sharing executive in Belfast said: “As we move into a period which has in the past resulted in heightened tensions, we encourage everyone to conduct themselves in a dignified and lawful way.
“We all have a responsibility to show leadership and to continue to seek resolutions to contentious issues through discussion, and ensure any difficulties are identified and resolved peacefully, thus showing respect for the views and wishes of everyone in the community.”
Although the vast majority of Orange Order parades pass off peacefully,this week the focus will be on a banned march close to the Ardoyne shops in North Belfast. Orange Order members and their supporters are banned from returning home via the Crumlin Road on 12 July from the main demonstration in Belfast.
This has led to riots and street disorder involving loyalists protesting against the ban, republicans gathered at Ardoyne and the police. No resolution has yet been reached to broker a deal between Ardoyne residents and the Orangemen from north Belfast.
