The North's Parades Commission has said it will not review its decision to allow a republican protest near the route of a British army homecoming event.
There are widespread fears that Sunday’s Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) parade in Belfast could spark trouble with large crowds of demonstrators and supporters set to descend on the city centre.
The Parades Commission, which has come under criticism from unionists after allowing a Sinn Féin-organised protest to assemble around 50m from the British army event, said it would not be reviewing its decision.
The parade is being staged to mark the RIR’s return from its recent deployment in Afghanistan.
While the majority of unionists support the event, republicans claim it is inappropriate given the fact British army soldiers were responsible for killing Catholic civilians during the Troubles.
“We have been asked to review our decisions but in fact there are very narrow grounds upon which we can review decisions, and in this instance the commission did not deem that there were sufficient grounds for a review,” said Parades Commission chairman Roger Poole.
Sinn Féin has pledged its demonstration will be entirely peaceful and well stewarded.
However, concern still centres on non-sanctioned marches by dissident republicans opposed to the peace process and loyalists who have also been trying to mobilise people to come out to support the British army.
Mr Poole called on everyone going to the city centre to behave appropriately.
“We would ask that those who intend to come to the city on Sunday review their own positions and redouble their efforts to take tension out of this issue in advance of the parade,” he said.
Yesterday it emerged that the most senior military figure in Northern Ireland has written to all troops due to take part in Sunday’s event.
The Special Order issued by General Officer Commanding Maj Gen Chris Brown urged soldiers and their friends and families to act with dignity and respect at all times during the parade.
Maj Gen Brown said the event was not a celebration of war nor was it an excuse to deepen divisions in Northern Ireland.
He also told the soldiers that not everyone in the region supported the British army and that the right to protest was one they should respect.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday appealed for calm during the event.
PA