Links
- Irish Aires Home Page
- IA Houston Links
- IA Links Page
- IA News Links
- Irish Aires Archived
- IA Email Lists
- Irish Aires Blog
- IAUC
Archives
- October 2004
- November 2004
- December 2004
- January 2005
- February 2005
- March 2005
- April 2005
- May 2005
- June 2005
- July 2005
- August 2005
- September 2005
- October 2005
- November 2005
- December 2005
- January 2006
- February 2006
- March 2006
- April 2006
- May 2006
- June 2006
- July 2006
- August 2006
- September 2006
- October 2006
- November 2006
- December 2006
- January 2007
- February 2007
- March 2007
- April 2007
- May 2007
- June 2007
- August 2007
- September 2007
- October 2007
- November 2007
- December 2007
- January 2008
- February 2008
- March 2008
- April 2008
- May 2008
- June 2008
- July 2008
- November 2008
- December 2008
- February 2009
- April 2009
- May 2009
- January 2010
- April 2011
- May 2011
- June 2011
- July 2011
- August 2011
- February 2012
News about the Irish & Irish American culture, music, news, sports. This is hosted by the Irish Aires radio show on KPFT-FM 90.1 in Houston, Texas (a Pacifica community radio station)
September 18, 2006
Urgent Request From Garvaghy Road Residents
URGENT REQUEST FROM GARVAGHY ROAD RESIDENTS
Sat, 16 Sep 2006 16:22:28
The Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition asks that the
message below is circulated as widely as possible, both
nationally and internationally, in order to prevent a
major injustice on September 23rd, whereby the
Nationalist minority population in Portadown could
again become the victims of Orange Order aggression and
state endorsed violence, just as occurred in 1996 and
1997.
Please read the entire message below and the
attachment, and make your feelings and opinions known
to the Parades Commission (contact details are at the
end of this message). If you phone, fax or e-mail your
message to the Commission, please ask that your message
be formally recorded and that an acknowledgement of
receipt be conveyed to you within 24 hours.
Also below is attached a draft to the PSNI's District
Commander. Copy this message also and send it to him
and to the Chief Constable of the PSNI (details below)
International phone prefixes not included in phone
numbers. Forward any responses to this email address
The Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition in Portadown has
accused the Parades Commission of cowardice for failing
to classify an Orange march to Drumcree, due to take
place next Saturday September 23rd, as contentious.
A spokesperson for the Garvaghy Road Residents
Coalition has said, "The GRRC, local Catholic clergy,
the SDLP and Sinn Féin had all asked that restrictions
be imposed on this Orange march. That such a united
front had all sought restrictions on this Orange march
makes the Commission's decision even more ridiculous.
The failure of the Parades Commission to classify next
Saturday's Orange march as contentious, which means
absolutely no restrictions will be placed upon it, is
nothing but complete moral cowardice.
"The Orange Order has organized this march to mark what
they see as 3000 days since the Drumcree march was
rerouted in 1998. It should never be forgotten that
opposition to Orange marches in Portadown cost the
lives of innocent Catholics like Darren Murray (1996),
Robert Hamill (1997), Michael McGoldrick (1997),
Bernadatte Martin (1997), the three young Quinn boys
burned to death in July 1998, Frankie O'Reilly
(1998)(Catholic RUC man), Rosemary Nelson - lawyer for
the GRRC (1999), Elizabeth O'Neill (1999) - all as a
result of the actions of the Orange Order at Drumcree
and its supporters.
"It should be obvious to even the most cursory of
observers that there has not been a continuous Orange
presence at Drumcree, and that this march and rally is
viewed by the vast majority of the Catholic community
in Portadown as an attempt by the Orange Order to re-
ignite inter-communal conflict in Portadown.
"This latter point was reinforced by the comments made
by a senior District Officer of Portadown LOL No.1 and
reported in “The News Letter” on August 29th 2006.
Other than seeking to re-ignite such conflict, there
can be no other motivation for the making of the
following comments: 'We would also like to see support
from brethren across the Province, reminiscent of the
Drumcree protest in the late 1990s…we are calling all
other members of the Orange Order to come along and
show their solidarity with the protest that stands for
civil and religious liberties for all.'
"The route which this potentially explosive march will
take to Drumcree is along the peace line at Corcrain
Road, past Craigwell Avenue where Catholic families
were forced from their homes as a result of Orange
Order intimidation and violence, past Catholic homes
along Charles Street and at the lower end of Obins
Street, past more Catholic homes at Ballyoran Hill and
directly past the local Catholic church before passing
even more homes along the Dungannon Road." For the
Commission to say that this march is not contentious is
probably one of the most ridiculous and nonsensical
decisions ever arrived at by any of the three Parades
Commission which have been adjudicating on parades
since 1998.
"When this present Commission was appointed, we stated
that it was far from independent, that it was
essentially a packed jury, and that it certainly would
not enjoy the confidence of Catholics, Nationalists or
Republicans in Portadown. This refusal by the
Commission to classify next week's march as contentious
has destroyed whatever thin shreds of credibility it
had left.
"Let there be no mistake, there is a lot of anger over
this and no amount of PR spin by the Parades Commission
chairperson, Roger Poole, or any other Commission
member will defuse that anger.
"For further comment, contact Breandán Mac Cionnaith or
Joe Duffy on 0044 78178 68591
Notes: When the British Govt announced the new
appointments to the Parades Commission at the end of
last year, the GRRC sought a judicial review of the
appointment of 2 Portadown Orangemen to the Commission.
The GRRC won the initial court case, but the British
Secretary of State, Peter Hain, appealed the High Court
ruling. At the High Court of Appeal the British
Secretary of State won by a 2:1 majority.
Of four judges who heard both cases, 2 ruled in favour
of the GRRC and 2 ruled in favor of the British Govt.
The GRRC, saying that they are prepared to exhaust
every legal avenue in order to ensure an independent
Parades Commission, have asked the British House of
Lords to make a further ruling on the appointments.
Without wishing to pre-judge any outcome, the GRRC has
stated that it will go to the European Court of Human
Rights, if necessary, in order to protect the right of
people in their community to live free from sectarian
harassment as promised under the Good Friday Agreement
and which both the British and Irish Governments are
pledged to uphold.
For further information on the activities of the Orange
Order 3,000 days ago in July 1998, please read the
attached document.
Contact details for the Parades Commission (chairperson
of which is Roger Poole) are:
The Parades Commission
Windsor House
9 - 15 Bedford Street
Belfast BT2 7EL
Tel: (028) 9089 5900Fax: (028) 9032 2988
Email: Michael@paradescommissionni.org
Info@paradescommission.com
Re: Suggested letter to PSNI in view of the Parades
Commission's consideration not to issue any formal
decision or determination in respect of the parade
applied for by Portadown LOL No.1, due to take place on
Saturday September 23rd 2006, Can you confirm the
following in writing to me no later than 12.00 noon on
Monday 18th September 2006 –
a) that the route applied for includes Carleton Street,
Church Street, Mandevillle Street, West Street,
Northway, Corcrain Road, Charles Street, Dungannon
Road, Rectors Turns, and Drumcree Road
b) that you are not aware of any legally binding
determination or restrictions having been imposed by
the Parades Commission upon the participants in or
organizers of this parade.
In view of this, can you also confirm in writing to me
no later than 12.00 noon on Monday 18th September 2006
that –
1) as the Parades Commission's consideration was not to
issue any formal decision or determination in respect
of the parade applied for by Portadown LOL No.1, due to
take place on Saturday September 23rd 2006, it is
correct to state that no legally binding limitations in
relation to the commencement, duration or dispersal
times of the parade can be enforced by you or officers
under your command.
2) as the Parades Commission's consideration was not to
issue any formal decision or determination in respect
of the parade applied for by Portadown LOL No.1, due to
take place on Saturday September 23rd 2006, it is
correct to state that no legally binding limitations in
relation to the termination point of the parade on the
Drumcree Road can be enforced by you or officers under
your command.
3) as the Parades Commission's consideration was not to
issue any formal decision or determination in respect
of the parade applied for by Portadown LOL No.1, due to
take place on Saturday September 23rd 2006, it is
correct to state that there is no legally binding
restriction in force preventing participants in that
parade from proceeding beyond Drumcree Parish Church
along the entire length of the Drumcree Road to where
it terminates at the junction of Garvaghy Road.
PSNI contact details:
The District Commander (responsible for Portadown)
Lurgan Police Station
62 Church place
Lurgan BT66
Tel 0845 600 8000
Email: Craigavon@psni.pnn.police.uk
Telephone 0845 600 8000 Extension 40304
Chief Constable Hugh Orde:
Headquarters Press Office
Available 7.00am - 23.00pm with a press officer on call
overnight.
0845 600 8000 Ext: 21084 or 21085
Fax Facilities are also available:
External Number 028 90 700038
Sat, 16 Sep 2006 16:22:28
The Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition asks that the
message below is circulated as widely as possible, both
nationally and internationally, in order to prevent a
major injustice on September 23rd, whereby the
Nationalist minority population in Portadown could
again become the victims of Orange Order aggression and
state endorsed violence, just as occurred in 1996 and
1997.
Please read the entire message below and the
attachment, and make your feelings and opinions known
to the Parades Commission (contact details are at the
end of this message). If you phone, fax or e-mail your
message to the Commission, please ask that your message
be formally recorded and that an acknowledgement of
receipt be conveyed to you within 24 hours.
Also below is attached a draft to the PSNI's District
Commander. Copy this message also and send it to him
and to the Chief Constable of the PSNI (details below)
International phone prefixes not included in phone
numbers. Forward any responses to this email address
The Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition in Portadown has
accused the Parades Commission of cowardice for failing
to classify an Orange march to Drumcree, due to take
place next Saturday September 23rd, as contentious.
A spokesperson for the Garvaghy Road Residents
Coalition has said, "The GRRC, local Catholic clergy,
the SDLP and Sinn Féin had all asked that restrictions
be imposed on this Orange march. That such a united
front had all sought restrictions on this Orange march
makes the Commission's decision even more ridiculous.
The failure of the Parades Commission to classify next
Saturday's Orange march as contentious, which means
absolutely no restrictions will be placed upon it, is
nothing but complete moral cowardice.
"The Orange Order has organized this march to mark what
they see as 3000 days since the Drumcree march was
rerouted in 1998. It should never be forgotten that
opposition to Orange marches in Portadown cost the
lives of innocent Catholics like Darren Murray (1996),
Robert Hamill (1997), Michael McGoldrick (1997),
Bernadatte Martin (1997), the three young Quinn boys
burned to death in July 1998, Frankie O'Reilly
(1998)(Catholic RUC man), Rosemary Nelson - lawyer for
the GRRC (1999), Elizabeth O'Neill (1999) - all as a
result of the actions of the Orange Order at Drumcree
and its supporters.
"It should be obvious to even the most cursory of
observers that there has not been a continuous Orange
presence at Drumcree, and that this march and rally is
viewed by the vast majority of the Catholic community
in Portadown as an attempt by the Orange Order to re-
ignite inter-communal conflict in Portadown.
"This latter point was reinforced by the comments made
by a senior District Officer of Portadown LOL No.1 and
reported in “The News Letter” on August 29th 2006.
Other than seeking to re-ignite such conflict, there
can be no other motivation for the making of the
following comments: 'We would also like to see support
from brethren across the Province, reminiscent of the
Drumcree protest in the late 1990s…we are calling all
other members of the Orange Order to come along and
show their solidarity with the protest that stands for
civil and religious liberties for all.'
"The route which this potentially explosive march will
take to Drumcree is along the peace line at Corcrain
Road, past Craigwell Avenue where Catholic families
were forced from their homes as a result of Orange
Order intimidation and violence, past Catholic homes
along Charles Street and at the lower end of Obins
Street, past more Catholic homes at Ballyoran Hill and
directly past the local Catholic church before passing
even more homes along the Dungannon Road." For the
Commission to say that this march is not contentious is
probably one of the most ridiculous and nonsensical
decisions ever arrived at by any of the three Parades
Commission which have been adjudicating on parades
since 1998.
"When this present Commission was appointed, we stated
that it was far from independent, that it was
essentially a packed jury, and that it certainly would
not enjoy the confidence of Catholics, Nationalists or
Republicans in Portadown. This refusal by the
Commission to classify next week's march as contentious
has destroyed whatever thin shreds of credibility it
had left.
"Let there be no mistake, there is a lot of anger over
this and no amount of PR spin by the Parades Commission
chairperson, Roger Poole, or any other Commission
member will defuse that anger.
"For further comment, contact Breandán Mac Cionnaith or
Joe Duffy on 0044 78178 68591
Notes: When the British Govt announced the new
appointments to the Parades Commission at the end of
last year, the GRRC sought a judicial review of the
appointment of 2 Portadown Orangemen to the Commission.
The GRRC won the initial court case, but the British
Secretary of State, Peter Hain, appealed the High Court
ruling. At the High Court of Appeal the British
Secretary of State won by a 2:1 majority.
Of four judges who heard both cases, 2 ruled in favour
of the GRRC and 2 ruled in favor of the British Govt.
The GRRC, saying that they are prepared to exhaust
every legal avenue in order to ensure an independent
Parades Commission, have asked the British House of
Lords to make a further ruling on the appointments.
Without wishing to pre-judge any outcome, the GRRC has
stated that it will go to the European Court of Human
Rights, if necessary, in order to protect the right of
people in their community to live free from sectarian
harassment as promised under the Good Friday Agreement
and which both the British and Irish Governments are
pledged to uphold.
For further information on the activities of the Orange
Order 3,000 days ago in July 1998, please read the
attached document.
Contact details for the Parades Commission (chairperson
of which is Roger Poole) are:
The Parades Commission
Windsor House
9 - 15 Bedford Street
Belfast BT2 7EL
Tel: (028) 9089 5900Fax: (028) 9032 2988
Email: Michael@paradescommissionni.org
Info@paradescommission.com
Re: Suggested letter to PSNI in view of the Parades
Commission's consideration not to issue any formal
decision or determination in respect of the parade
applied for by Portadown LOL No.1, due to take place on
Saturday September 23rd 2006, Can you confirm the
following in writing to me no later than 12.00 noon on
Monday 18th September 2006 –
a) that the route applied for includes Carleton Street,
Church Street, Mandevillle Street, West Street,
Northway, Corcrain Road, Charles Street, Dungannon
Road, Rectors Turns, and Drumcree Road
b) that you are not aware of any legally binding
determination or restrictions having been imposed by
the Parades Commission upon the participants in or
organizers of this parade.
In view of this, can you also confirm in writing to me
no later than 12.00 noon on Monday 18th September 2006
that –
1) as the Parades Commission's consideration was not to
issue any formal decision or determination in respect
of the parade applied for by Portadown LOL No.1, due to
take place on Saturday September 23rd 2006, it is
correct to state that no legally binding limitations in
relation to the commencement, duration or dispersal
times of the parade can be enforced by you or officers
under your command.
2) as the Parades Commission's consideration was not to
issue any formal decision or determination in respect
of the parade applied for by Portadown LOL No.1, due to
take place on Saturday September 23rd 2006, it is
correct to state that no legally binding limitations in
relation to the termination point of the parade on the
Drumcree Road can be enforced by you or officers under
your command.
3) as the Parades Commission's consideration was not to
issue any formal decision or determination in respect
of the parade applied for by Portadown LOL No.1, due to
take place on Saturday September 23rd 2006, it is
correct to state that there is no legally binding
restriction in force preventing participants in that
parade from proceeding beyond Drumcree Parish Church
along the entire length of the Drumcree Road to where
it terminates at the junction of Garvaghy Road.
PSNI contact details:
The District Commander (responsible for Portadown)
Lurgan Police Station
62 Church place
Lurgan BT66
Tel 0845 600 8000
Email: Craigavon@psni.pnn.police.uk
Telephone 0845 600 8000 Extension 40304
Chief Constable Hugh Orde:
Headquarters Press Office
Available 7.00am - 23.00pm with a press officer on call
overnight.
0845 600 8000 Ext: 21084 or 21085
Fax Facilities are also available:
External Number 028 90 700038
----
To Subscribe to Irish Aires News List, click HERE.
To Unsub from Irish Aires News List, click Here
No Message is necessary.
Or get full news from Irish Aires Yahoo Group, Click here
Or get full news from IrishAiresNews Google Group, Click here
To Get RSS Feed for Irish Aires News click HERE
(Paste http://irishaires.blogspot.com/atom.xml into a News Reader)
To September Index
To Index of Monthly Archives
