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The Orange Order has described an illegal protest by Sinn
Fein/IRA activists which prevented 16 elderly Orangemen from
driving to church to lay a wreath in the Co. Antrim village
of Dunloy today as new low for the republican movement.
The Orangemen left Dunloy Orange Hall at 9.15 this morning
to drive the 375 yards to the local Presbyterian Church, in
accordance with a Parades Commission determination, only to
find their route blocked by nationalist residents.
Dunloy Orange leader David Tweed said: "This is naked
sectarianism at its worst. Sinn Fein have already stopped
us parading in our village, today they've stopped us driving;
tomorrow, presumably, they'll try and stop us living there
as well."
Mr. Tweed said police had praised his members for their exemplary
behaviour today and confirmed that the road blockade was an
illegal protest which wasn't notified in advance in accordance
with the law. He said his members were not prepared to back
down and would continue to wait on the security forces to
clear any obstructions and guarantee them safe passage.
The Orange lodge says it has already asked local MP and DUP
leader Dr Ian Paisley to raise the issue of anti-Protestant
discrimination in the village with the Northern Ireland Office
and Prime Minister Tony Blair.
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