SINN FEIN AND SOS CLASH OVER CASTLEDERG IRA PARADE

Restrictions have been placed on  'Tyrone Volunteer Commemoration' parade in Castlederg this Sunday

Restrictions have been placed on ‘Tyrone Volunteer Commemoration’ parade in Castlederg this Sunday

THE Secretary of State and Sinn Fein have locked horns after she called on republican organisers to call off of IRA commemoration parade this weekend.

Theresa Villiers said the parade was “deeply insensitive”, however, she said that she had no powers to ban the parade.

But Tyrone Sinn Fein MLA Barry McElduff hit back at her comments, saying: “”She should stay out of parading issues…”.

Tensions have been building in Castlederg since the organisers of the Tyrone Volunteers Commemoration announced it planned to march through the town on Sunday, August 11 at 3 pm.

Ms Villiers was speaking after meeting with a victims’ group opposed to the parade in Castlederg on Sunday.

“On the issue of legal powers to ban the parade, these are restricted and narrowly defined,” Ms Villiers said in a statement.

“The criteria set out in legislation that would enable me to intervene are not satisfied in this case.”

She added: “I realise that will disappoint many but I am bound by the law.

“That in no way diminishes my profound sympathy for the victims. I heard harrowing stories today from people who continue to grieve for loved ones and who have never received justice.”

Ms Villiers said the Tyrone Volunteers Day Parade, which commemorates dead IRA members, was “deeply insensitive” and was causing great distress to many victims of terrorism.

Theresa Villiers says Tyrone Volunteers parade is "deeply insensitive'' to victims of IRA violence

Theresa Villiers says Tyrone Volunteers parade is “deeply insensitive” to victims of IRA violence

“This parade is damaging to community relations and even at this late stage I would call upon the organisers to think again and call it off.”

The Derg Valley Victims Voice was accompanied by unionist politicians during the meeting.

They had called on the secretary of state to ban the parade or at least condemn it.

They say it will glorify terrorism and traumatise families affected by IRA violence.

DUP MLA Arlene Foster, who was at the meeting, said Sunday would see Sinn Fein duplicity reach a staggering level.

“On Sunday, Sinn Fein in Omagh will stand against the actions of terrorists where 29 innocent people were murdered by a car bomb, yet a few miles down the road in Castlederg the same Sinn Fein MLAs will hold a parade to honour Provisional IRA car bombers,” she said.

“Could someone in Connolly House explain the difference between the terrorists who murdered in Castlederg and the terrorists who murdered in Omagh?

“The parade is damaging to community relations and grossly offensive to the families of the 29 people who were murdered by the PIRA in the Castlederg area.”

Sinn Féin has said the Castlederg parade is not a glorification, but a solemn commemoration, and that republican rights to remember their dead should be respected.

The Parades Commission has re-routed the parade away from the town’s war memorial.

However, it does not have the power to ban parades, simply impose restrictions.

 

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