Ulster Unionist Party Councillor David Taylor has strongly criticised a decision taken by the Parades Commission to prohibit a parade, being organised by Altnaveigh Junior LOL No 37 to celebrate the unfurling of a new banner, from entering Newry City Centre next Friday night.

 Councillor Taylor said:

 “The decision taken by the Parades Commission to deny the Junior Orange Brethren of Altnaveigh LOL 37 permission to parade in the centre of their home city is extremely disappointing.  It only serves to further discredit the Commission in terms of its ability to make impartial judgements on parades across Northern Ireland.

 “It is abundantly clear the Parades Commission has once again tried to appease Republicanism in arriving at its decision in respect of the parade organised by Altnaveigh Junior LOL No 37. Still they wonder why the Unionist Community has no confidence in their ability to act as a neutral body.”

 Councillor Taylor also rounded on Sinn Fein MLA Mickey Brady for his comments about the parade, and said the Republican representative was clearly driven by an outdated sectarian and bigoted agenda in relation to the minority Protestant community’s right to be treated with equality in Newry.

 The Ulster Unionist Representative stated:

  “Mickey Brady’s masked has slipped. Over recent weeks he has tried to portray himself as a man of the people, or as his mantra states, “The Peoples’ Champion”. It is very clear from the comments made by him regarding the forthcoming parade that he is certainly not the champion of all of the people.

 “His views are no different from those expressed by other Republican representatives with regards to the Protestant community’s legitimate right to host a parade in their home City of Newry. It is clear he has the same narrow minded, bigoted opinions as the rest of Sinn Fein.  He is most definitely not fit to serve the Unionist community as MP in the constituency of Newry & Armagh, as we go to the polls for the Westminster election.

  “The Protestant community in Newry will not tolerate any attempt to be treated as second class citizens within their home city. It is vitally important in any shared society that people are afforded the freedom to celebrate their culture without fear of threat or intimidation.  It is my firm belief that the minority Protestant community in Newry should be permitted that same entitlement as others.”