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Tension continues around marching season

It has been announced that 800 extra troops are on their way to the North, bringing the total to almost 18,000 following a further night of loyalist violence and protest. The increase is on the advice of the Army GOC and the RUC Chief Constable. The soldiers are from the 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment and the 1st Battalion The Kings Regiment and they are expected in the North before the end of the week.

Ian Paisley, at the behest of Orangemen at Drumcree, has asked for and received confirmation of a meeting between orangemen and Tony Blair tomorrow.

In the North West:
Trouble flared in Derry at Irish St, Tullyally, Nelson Drive and Newbuildings where the main Dublin to Derry road was blocked for a time. At Tullyally 12 arrests were made after Sunday nights incidents resulted in an RUC inspector receiving a fractured skull from stone throwing. Petrol bombs had previously been discovered in the area on Saturday morning. Trouble also flared in Coleraine and in Strabane were roads have been blocked and there were reports of petrol bombing.

In Belfast\Carrickfergus:
Six men appeared in the Maistrates' Court yesterday as a result of rioting in Belfast, Netownabbey and Carrickfergus. The charges involved riotous behaviour, possessing an offensive weapon and disorderly behaviour. There are reports of three separate gun attacks on RUC members from loyalists areas last night, and blast bombs in both Belfast and Carrickfergus. At least one of the attacks occured in an area which is normally associated with the loyalist UDA paramiltary group which brings into doubt the legitimacy of their ceasefire. It should be noted that the main Unionist spokespersons have refused to condemn the Orange Order protests and link them with the incidents of violence occurring throughout the North. This is in direct contrast to their condemnation of Nationalists at any given chance when violence occurs around protests from that side.

Ormeau Road:
The Family of one of five men murdered at Sean Graham's Bookie Shop on Belfast's lower Ormeau Road has hit out at the decision by the Parades Commission to allow the Ballynafeigh District Lodge to walk through the area. Patricia Breen, aunt of murdered 18-year-old Peter Magee, who died in the 1992 UFF attack, was said to be "disgusted" at the parade's commission decision. It is believed that The Lower Ormeau Concerned Community (LOCC) intends to challenge the commission's decision in the courts today.

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Scots guards decision political claim family

Statement from family of Peter Mc Bride

The family of murdered Belfast teenager Peter Mc Bride have claimed that the timing of the announcement by the Secretary of State to review the case of the two Scots Guards convicted of the murder of their son Peter was politically motivated. Lord Dubbs made the announcement last night during the debate in the House of Lords on the sentencing bill which will, if passed, will lead to an early release of prisoners. Westminster sources have confirmed to the Pat Finucane Centre that the timing of the surprise move was in order to facilitate the passage of the controversial bill on prisoners which, it is understood, faced stiff opposition in the House of Lords. The upper house, where Tory peers have a majority, cannot stop the bill but have the power to delay its progress. This in turn would delay legislation vital to the peace process itself.

Jean Mc Bride, speaking on behalf of the family said this morning, " This new review has nothing to do with justice as far as we are concerned. The announcement was made to soften opposition from right wing Tories who are opposed to the early release of prisoners. The early release of the Scots Guards convicted of Peter's murder is being offered as bait to secure passage of this bill. It hardly inspires confidence within our family to know that the death of our son is being cynically manipulated to win a vote in the House of Lords. These same Lords are more concerned about the murderers than the victim."

A spokesperson for the Pat Finucane Centre has confirmed that both the Secretary of State Mo Mowlam and the Security Minister Adam Ingram have been in contact with the Mc Bride family and the centre to apologise for the failure to make contact with the family prior to the decision being announced. It is understood that the Secretary of State will meet the family and campaigners tomorrow. The issue of the Guards continuing membership of the British Army, despite their convictions, will be among a number of points that the family wish to raise at the meeting.

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Ireland News Update Tuesday 7th July 1998	If you came directly to this page use this button to reach the Weekly Ireland News Update Service
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