Ballymoney DUP Councillor, John Finlay, has hit out at the Parades Commission after placing restrictions on the Annual Ballymaconnelly Sons of Conquerors Band parade, scheduled for Friday 19th August.
He said that this ruling prevented the band from walking its traditional route and that it would be viewed as a reward for violence and thuggery.
He also stated that the Parades Commission was pandering to Republican objectives in the village which is to chase and bully Protestants' out of Rasharkin.
Speaking today, John Finlay said, "I am outraged at this ruling by the Parades' Commission who once again are set on discriminating against members of the Protestant community. This decision yet again offers further evidence that this body needs to go and would have been better going last year when the proposals were on the table.
Once again the organisers and competitors involved in this parade, which is a highlight for many of the year, have been banned from walking their return route in their own village. Last year we saw Republicans engage in thuggery, violence and terrorism as band members were delayed for several hours due to a security alert, whereby a device was left at the Orange Hall.
The Parades Commission have shown themselves to once again pander to Republican demands despite their despicable behaviour last year, as in previous years. The Parades Commission is meeting and seeing through the objectives of Republican hoods in the village, which is to chase and bully Protestants out of the village.
It was only a matter of weeks ago that a Protestant resident had his car destroyed by Republicans in an arson attack. This ruling is one which discriminates and condemns Protestants' despite them having done nothing wrong.
This ruling, amongst many others this summer, provides clear evidence that the Parades Commission needs to go. Last year my party put forward proposals which would have see this unelected quango go but due to the actions of a minority these proposals were unable to be put into effect. This would have seen this body quashed and common sense prevailing."
