Nationalist residents of Newtownbutler plan to protest against a Royal Black Preceptory march in the Co Fermanagh village next Sunday afternoon. The Parades Commission, which has had a meeting with both sides, says it remains "hopeful" that an agreement can be reached. On Wednesday night, separate meetings facilitated by the commission took place with the Newtownbutler Area Residents' Association and the Royal Black Preceptory.
The present deadlock in the Border village comes just weeks after an agreement was reached on contentious parades in the area. Both sides signed a document agreeing to discuss all future marches and the Twelfth of July parade went ahead without protest.