Orange Order march allowed in Ardoyne

The parade will mark Orange heritage week

The Parades Commission has approved an Orange Order march in Ardoyne in north Belfast on Saturday, despite objections from nationalist residents.

It will involve up to 150 people, including a band, but no supporters.

No music or drumbeats are permitted as it passes Ardoyne shops.

In its ruling, the commission said it did not receive evidence “it would result in disorder or any significant disruption to life in the community”.

The parade, involving three Ligoniel lodges, is to mark Orange heritage week.

It is not part of a 2016 agreement which has seen five morning parades occur each year.

The deal ended years of tension and violence at what was once at parading flashpoint.

But the Orange Order claimed the agreement collapsed before the summer and talks to revive it have not yet taken place.

The Pride of Ardoyne Flute band

This is the latest in a series of parade applications made in recent months, which except for the morning of 12 July, have not been permitted.

The march is due to take place at 09:00 BST and last an hour, moving between Woodvale Parade and Ligoniel.

The Crumlin Ardoyne Residents Association (CARA) had told the commission that if the parade took place, it “could result in real difficulties”.

It said the parade breached the 2016 agreement and it has applied to hold a protest.

In its determination, the commission stated it received “some evidence” that it “may result in damage to community relations, but this is not uncontested”.

It concluded: “The commission notes the timing of the parade and measures to be implemented are likely to mitigate any such damage.

“In addition, any conditions which serve to restrict the parade to a very significant extent could also have negative consequences for community relations.”

It added it would pay close attention to participants’ conduct.