Wednesday 19 June 2024 11:30 PM
Nafeza 2 world - An agreement which ended violence around an Orange Order parade dispute in north Belfast has collapsed.
Talks to maintain the 2016 deal broke down last week, with a march past Ardoyne shops now being sought on the evening of 12 July.
A protest by a nationalist residents’ group is planned in response.
The Parades Commission will rule on the matter in two weeks’ time, with the police monitoring developments closely.
The Order claimed the Crumlin Ardoyne Residents Association (CARA) had “weaponised” engagement and accused them of “bad-faith dialogue.”
Earlier, Sinn Fein north Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said it was “deeply concerning” that a parade has been applied for.
“Sinn Féin will continue to stand with residents in their opposition to this parade which contravenes the 2016 agreement,” he added.
The 2016 deal was struck between a number of Orange lodges and CARA.
CARA undertook not to object to any existing morning parades, which usually take place around 0830hrs.
In return, the lodges agreed to a “voluntary moratorium” on apply for evening return parades.
The agreement stated: "This moratorium would allow for a process between the lodges and CARA to seek agreement on future return parades and if agreement is achieved, the moratorium would be lifted.”
The agreement almost faltered last year, when there were applications to parade past Ardoyne shops in the evening.
However, the situation was defused and none took place.
