Belfast protest planned over loyalist march

Nationalist residents have said they will stage a mass protest if a court upholds a decision allowing a loyalist parade to pass…

Nationalist residents have said they will stage a mass protest if a court upholds a decision allowing a loyalist parade to pass down Belfast's Lower Ormeau Road on Easter Monday.

Representatives of the Lower Ormeau Concerned Community (LOCC) residents' group plan to distribute thousands of posters at republican Easter rallies next weekend following the Parades Commission's decision to allow a parade by the Apprentice Boys. The LOCC will meet the commission today to ask for a reconsideration of the ruling. Mr Gerard Rice, the LOCC spokesman, said he was confident court action would block the parade but confirmed plans were being made to stage a mass rally if it failed.