Orange Order refuses to release 'Twelfth' plans

The Orange Order has refused to reveal details of how it plans to protest at a Parades Commission's decision to place restrictions…

The Orange Order has refused to reveal details of how it plans to protest at a Parades Commission's decision to place restrictions on march in North Belfast on Monday.

However, a spokesperson for the Orange Order has denied it plans to block roads in and out of Belfast on Monday evening.

The Ligoniel Lodge's march passes the Ardoyne shops interface where Orange Order supporters and local Catholic residents clashed last year.

The Parades Commission has ruled that only Lodge members and notified marshals can march on the return route between the junction of Woodvale Road and Woodvale Parade and the junction of Crumlin Road and Hesketh Road and that no music should be played.

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In a statement released after an emergency meeting of Belfast's Orange Order leaders last night, it said it has "put in place plans that will enable the whole county to support the Ligoniel brethren, bands and supporters as they seek to complete their journey home".

A spokeswoman for the Orange Order denied the statement is threatening. She told ireland.comthat there would be over 100,000 people marching in the North on Monday, July 12th and the Orange Order did not want to incite violence or attract a large number of protesters to the Ardoyne shops.

She said details of the protests around the city would be revealed on Monday and a number of Orange leaders would protest on the route of the Ligonel march.

Sinn Féin has reacted angrily to the statement from the Orange Order. North Belfast Sinn Féin councillor Mr Eoin O'Broin said he fears "the order is putting in place a plan in conjunction with unionist paramilitaries to try and force the Parades Commission's hand.

"This morning's statement from the Orange Order is clearly threatening and comes in the wake of UDA organised blockades of Ligonel over the past two nights. The Orange Order in Belfast are clearly intent on heightening tensions at a time when many other groups are working tirelessly within interface communities in this city in order to secure a peaceful summer," he said.

The Ulster Unionist Party said this afternoon is was seeking a meeting with the Secretary of State, Mr Paul Murphy, over the weekend to discuss the parades issue. They were particularly concerned about the potential for problems in North Belfast.