SEVEN men have been charged in connection with an illegal republican Easter parade in north Armagh at the weekend.

Eight masked men wearing paramilitary-style uniforms were arrested on Levin Road in Lurgan on Saturday afternoon.

A ninth person was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and obstruction.

As well as the seven men who have been charged, two others have been released on police bail.

The march is understood to have been organised by Republican Sinn Féin.

Police have charged six men men aged, 48, 39, 36, 28 and two aged 30 with taking part in an un-notified public procession and wearing clothing or having articles as member or supporter of a proscribed organisation.

The 28-year-old has also been charged with three counts of assault on police.

They are due to appear at Lisburn Magistrates’ Court this morning for a first remand hearing.

The seventh man, aged 44, has been charged with two counts of obstructing police and assault on police.

He is due to appear at Craigavon Magistrates Court on April 27.

A 47-year-old man arrested on suspicion of organising an un-notified public procession and wearing clothing or having article(s) as a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation has been released on bail pending further police enquiries.

A 24-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assault on police, resisting police, taking part in an un-notified public procession and wearing clothing or having article(s) as a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation has also been released on bail.

Police have said six of the men arrested were not from the Lurgan area.