A PSNI officer who allowed a loyalist march into a prohibited nationalist area should be disciplined, a police watchdog said today.
Three Police Service of Northern Ireland officers were injured and three men charged with disorderly behaviour after an Apprentice Boys feeder parade in Castlederg, Co Tyrone, was allowed into a prohibited nationalist area on December 3rd, 2005.
Confusion arose after marchers produced alternative letters of permission.
Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan recommended action against the head of the police operation.
A spokesman for the Ombudsman's office said: "The officer in charge on the ground that day made a decision in all good faith faced with a difficult public order situation. There are, however, some minor issues relating to his decision-making process.
"He has been recommended for disciplinary action, and there was a technical breach of the Parades Commission's determination."
The 70-strong procession by the Mitchelburne Club Apprentice Boys Garvetagh Branch parade had been blocked from entering mainly nationalist Lurganbuoy Road by police, after a determination by the Parades Commission, but was allowed to proceed a short distance.
There was a subsequent confrontation between nationalist residents standing nearby and police.