The Parades Commission has given the go-ahead for a large loyalist band parade in Castlederg this weekend – the 21st to be held in the predominantly nationalist town this year.
The Castlederg Young Loyalists band will parade through the town from 8.00pm to 11.0pm on Saturday with 88 bands – more than ever before – taking part.
Over 2,000 supporters are expected to attend the event which, according to local Sinn Fein Cllr Ruairi McHugh, would see the people of the town “once again in lockdown.”
Cllr McHugh, a member of the newly formed Derry-Strabane “Super Council, added: “This will be the 21st loyalist parade in Castlederg since January.
“There has been no attempt by those applying for these parades to enter into any form of dialogue with community representatives, residents or business people, something the Parades Commission places great emphasis on.”
Cllr McHugh added: “Nobody is saying the Protestant community are not entitled to celebrate their cultural identity and heritage but there needs to be some common sense shown and consideration given to others in the town in terms of the number of parades and flags in a town where the majority of residents do not come from the unionist tradition.”
