For the Record- Direct and Specific Evidence that the Parade Commission Favors one Community while Denying rights to Orangement

How are Orangemen Tolerant?

On the 15th of August 1998 the Parades Commission allowed a parade by the Ancient Order of Hibernians which is a Catholic organisation to proceed through the prodominetly Protestant town of Kilkeel in Co Down.

The Orange Order had no objection to this parade taking place taking into account CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTIES FOR ALL. WHAT THEY DID OBJECT TO WAS THAT THIS PARADE WAS PERMITTED TO PROCEED WHILE ORANGEMEN IN PORTADOWN WHERE NOT ALLOWED THE SAME BASIC RIGHTS. To this end the Orange Order did not engage in demonstrations against this traditional parade in Kilkeel.

It was however regretable that many of the bands on parade in Kilkeel broke conditions laid down by the Parades Commission and to date no action has been taken. The Orange Order would again voice its concerns that the unelected QUANGO Parades Commission is incapable of acting in an impartial manner and would seem to act in a positve manner with those who are still engaged in violence.