Restrictions placed on 12 marches

Restrictions have been placed on 12 marches throughout Northern Ireland by the Parades Commission

Restrictions have been placed on 12 marches throughout Northern Ireland by the Parades Commission. The Commission revealed it had been notified of 3,033 parades and processions from the beginning of March to the end of this month. In a statement it said that while parades in a number of areas were subject to "particular scrutiny", route conditions were imposed on only 53, or 1.75 per cent of the total. The majority of these were loyal order parades, although the total did not include some Ancient Order of Hibernians parades.

The most recent restrictions announced were for parades due to take place over the next week. They include a rerouting, on Saturday, of the Belfast Grand Black Chapter, which has been prohibited from crossing the Ormeau Bridge/Annadale Embankment and Havelock Bridge. Restrictions were also placed on parts of routes in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, Bellaghy, Co Derry, Keady, Co Armagh, Pomeroy, Co Tyrone, Castlewellan, Co Down, Strabane, Co Tyrone, Armagh and Portadown, Co Armagh.

Members of Portadown Orange Order have been prohibited from walking down Garvaghy Road on Sunday.