Conditions imposed on Saoradh-linked event
The Parades Commission has given the green light to a controversial Easter parade that has previously ended in violence.
The parade, which has been marked sensitive, has been organised by the National Republican Commemoration Committee (NRCC), which arranges events on behalf of anti-agreement party Saoradh.
The ‘Unfinished Revolution National Easter Commemoration’ branded event will take place on Monday.
A similar commemoration in 2022 was led by a masked colour party and included men and women dressed in combat gear, as it made its way from Free Derry Corner to the City Cemetery
Trouble later broke out when a group of youths hurled petrol bombs at PSNI vehicles while several people were arrested.
This year the parade route begins at Creggan shops before making its way to a local republican memorial site, Séadchomhartha Na Ndaoine – The People’s Monument – which is located at Free Derry Corner.
Organisers say two bands, 500 participants and 100 supporters are expected.
The NRCC parade, which has been notified to the Parades Commission, is taking place on the same day as a separate parade by the Derry 1916 Commemoration Committee is normally held.
That parade is never notified to the commission and in recent years has seen Trouble erupt when PSNI vehicles were attacked by young people throwing petrol bombs.
However, disorder was avoided at last year’s event, which included a masked colour party, after police stayed out of the Creggan area.
In a determination the Parades Commission said that “historically there has been serious criminal offending associated” with the parade.
The commission imposed several conditions including that “no paramilitary-style clothing” is to be worn and that “flags, bannerettes and symbols relating to a proscribed organisation shall in no circumstances be displayed”.
SDLP assembly member and Policing Board member Mark H Durkan welcomed that the parade “has gone through the correct process in terms of the application”.
“For a number of years there had been anti-social behaviour around the Easter Monday commemoration in Derry and there was a negative impact on the Creggan community.
“Over the past couple of years, we have seen a more intelligent approach from the police to minimise the damage done.
“I would appeal to people to come to Derry and enjoy the event and please abide by the conditions set out by the Parades Commission.”
NRCC spokesman Paddy Gallagher said: “We hereby invite all revolutionary socialist republicans committed to the continuing fight for Irish freedom to join with us to commemorate our martyred dead in a dignified, honourable and appropriate way.”
by WrongdoerGold1683