Protest by Dunloy LOL 496 the 12th of July morning in Dunloy

On behalf of the members of LOL 496, I wish to place on record our disgust at yet another disgraceful, and totally unacceptable, determination by the Parades Commission. 

For many years now, through the actions of the police and now the Parades Commission, we have been prevented from marching on 12 July to lay our wreath in memory of our glorious dead.

And, once again, as we gather in Dunloy on the Twelfth morning, our civil and religious liberties are being denied to us by a Parades Commission which seems intent on pandering to threats from militant Republicans. The Commission has lost any credibility in the eyes of law-abiding people, and its decision in relation to our parade here this morning is a studied insult to the Protestant and Unionist people of this  area it is time for this failed quango to go.

As law-abiding members of the Loyal Orange Institution, we have no desire to confront the forces of law and order, but this should not be regarded as a sign of weakness on our part.  We are angered and hurt by the decision to restrict us here this morning, and justice demands that this situation must not be allowed to continue.

WM. John Finlay.

No Surrender.

God Save the Queen

Rasharkin parade

It goes without saying that the Protestant and Unionist community has no respect whatever for the Parades Commission, and its determination in relation to two return parades in Rasharkin on the Twelfth evening it   is a reminder that the Commission is a big part of the problem and needs to go.

Both Ballymaconnelly LOL 360 and Rasharkin Chosen Few LOL 694 have been told that they cannot parade through Sunnyside Drive on their return from the Cloughmills demonstration as, according to the Parades Commission, it would damage community relations.

I am not sure what world the Parades Commission lives in, but it is not the real one. Community relations in Rasharkin are in tatters simply because  an number of the Republican population of the village have decided that they will show no tolerance or respect for their Protestant neighbours. How can there be meaningful community relations when Protestant houses and Orange Halls are attacked?  Two posters which have appeared in the village confirm that Republicans want “No Orange Parades”.

The vast majority of people living in Rasharkin just want to live in peace with their neighbours both Roman Catholics and protestants and allow each other to have their tradition.

Sadly there is an small group now divided in two who don’t want an prod about the place.

Sunnyside Drive is an mixed estate with and good number of protestant families living there, but the Commission has decided to deny these people their civil rights by bowing, yet again, to the demands and threats of Republicans.

The Commission criticises the Orange lodges for not entering into communication with the residents of the area, but the intransigence and bigotry of Republicans renders any such communication pointless. The Commission really does need to learn that giving in to Republican intransigence is not the way to resolve the marching issue or to promote community relations. 

ENDS.

Letter to the Editor
It was my privilege and pleasure to attend some of the Jubilee events during last week’s Royal visit, and the highlight must surely have been the party in the grounds of Stormont when Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh travelled in an open-top vehicle to the cheers of thousands of their loyal subjects. When we compare this Royal visit with previous ones, it must surely be regarded as one of the best ever. There is no doubt that we have come a long way in Northern Ireland, and the Union is stronger today than ever.

It’s therefore a great pity, but no great surprise, that the media chose to focus to an inordinate degree on the handshake between Her Majesty and Martin McGuinness, and I do think that the significance of this brief event has been grossly over-played. Peter Hain, for example, is reported as having said, “what this really puts the seal on is that the past is the past.” If only it were as simple as that. But perhaps it is that simple in the world inhabited by those in politics and the media who appear to operate on the premise that the “peace process” is all about choreography, sequencing, sound-bites and box-ticking. Last Wednesday’s handshake was carefully stage-managed, but it cannot erase the past or the hurt caused by decades of brutal, bloody and merciless IRA terrorism... While all the focus has been on the courage of Sinn Fein,. We must never forget that the Royal Family suffered in a very deep and tangible way at the hands of a killing machine of which Martin McGuinness was a leading member.

So, to me, the handshake actually changes nothing for the choreography is badly out of sequence. A crucial piece of the jigsaw remains missing and it needs to be found and put into place before any more steps are taken. What is needed now is not, as some commentators are suggesting, a papal visit to Northern Ireland, but a clear, honest and forthright apology from Sinn Fein for the murderous campaign of the IRA. Such an unconditional apology is long overdue and should have been forthcoming well in advance of last week’s handshake. The Word of God makes it very clear that there can be no forgiveness without repentance, so until Sinn Fein make the crucial move we cannot really move on. However, I am not filled with any great optimism that such a move will take place, for even as Sinn Fein speak with forked-tongues about the need to reach out in friendship to their “Unionist brothers”, they continue to glorify their “patriot dead” and to praise the IRA’s campaign of murder and destruction.

As always, Sinn Finn will now demand a quid pro quo from the Unionist side in return for the handshake, but we owe Sinn Fein absolutely nothing. The next step must come from Sinn Fein. It’s time for Adams and McGuinness to make an unqualified and genuine apology for the hurt they have inflicted upon the Protestant and Unionist people. Until this happens, it won’t matter how many handshakes there are, or what Mr Hain and others might think. Until it happens, we cannot put the past behind us.

Councillor John Finlay
233 Ballyveely road
Cloughmills
Bt44 9nw

Hand shake

 Letter to the Editor

It was my privilege and pleasure to attend some of the Jubilee events during last week’s Royal visit, and the highlight must surely have been the party in the grounds of Stormont when Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh travelled in an open-top vehicle to the cheers of thousands of their loyal subjects. When we compare this Royal visit with previous ones, it must surely be regarded as one of the best ever. There is no doubt that we have come a long way in Northern Ireland, and the Union is stronger today than ever. 

It’s therefore a great pity, but no great surprise, that the media chose to focus to an inordinate degree on the handshake between Her Majesty and Martin McGuinness, and I do think that the significance of this brief event has been grossly over-played. Peter Hain, for example, is reported as having said, “what this really puts the seal on is that the past is the past.” If only it were as simple as that. But perhaps it is that simple in the world inhabited by those in politics and the media who appear to operate on the premise that the “peace process” is all about choreography, sequencing, sound-bites and box-ticking.  Last Wednesday’s handshake was carefully stage-managed, but it cannot erase the past or the hurt caused by decades of brutal, bloody and merciless IRA terrorism... While all the focus has been on the courage of Sinn Fein,. We must never forget that the Royal Family suffered in a very deep and tangible way at the hands of a killing machine of which Martin McGuinness was a leading member.

So, to me, the handshake actually changes nothing for the choreography is badly out of sequence. A crucial piece of the jigsaw remains missing and it needs to be found and put into place before any more steps are taken.  What is needed now is not, as some commentators are suggesting, a papal visit to Northern Ireland, but a clear, honest and forthright apology from Sinn Fein for the murderous campaign of the IRA.  Such an unconditional apology is long overdue and should have been forthcoming well in advance of last week’s handshake. The Word of God makes it very clear that there can be no forgiveness without repentance, so until Sinn Fein make the crucial move we cannot really move on. However, I am not filled with any great optimism that such a move will take place, for even as Sinn Fein speak with forked-tongues about the need to reach out in friendship to their “Unionist brothers”, they continue to glorify their “patriot dead” and to praise the IRA’s campaign of murder and destruction.

As always, Sinn Finn will now demand a quid pro quo from the Unionist side in return for the handshake, but we owe Sinn Fein absolutely nothing.  The next step must come from Sinn Fein. It’s time for Adams and McGuinness to make an unqualified and genuine apology for the hurt they have inflicted upon the Protestant and Unionist people. Until this happens, it won’t matter how many handshakes there are, or what Mr Hain and others might think. Until it happens, we cannot put the past behind us.

Councillor John Finlay

233 Ballyveely road

Cloughmills

Bt44 9nw

Finlay hits out over Republican ‘POW’ signs in Rasharkin

Ballymoney DUP Councillor John Finlay has hit out at Republicans’ in the Co. Antrim village of Rasharkin over the erection of Republican POW signs.

Commenting John Finlay said:

"I condemn those responsible for erecting these illegal signs which are most offensive and are only creating tension in the town.

I call for these signs to be removed at once, some of which have been placed on legal road signs and present a danger to the general public. Others have been placed on private grounds also, with or without the consent of the owners. These should also be removed.

I call for the PSNI to remove these signs at once as they serve no other purpose but to intimidate locals. There is also a responsibility on the Department for Regional Development to remove these signs from Roads Service property.

For many people who lived through the troubles they represent an unhealthy reminder of the past and of the actions of Republican terrorists.

The majority of people, Catholic and Protestant, do not support this and want to see Northern Ireland move forward, that is what they voted for in large numbers back in May this year." said the local DUP councillor.

Where's the love for Unionists: Finlay

Ballymoney Councillor, John Finlay, has asked Sinn Fein where the love is for Unionists in Rasharkin and Dunloy.

His comments come after Martin McGuinness said that Unionists should be loved.

"I call on Martin McGuinness to show me in  Rasharkin or Dunloy where the love is, local Protestants know only that Republicans express their hatred rather than love for them.

Many local Protestants have been victims of Republican aggression. Many have had their homes and property attacked for no other reason than being
Protestant.

Protestants can't even meet in peace and harmony in their Orange Halls or participate in church parades without being harrassed.

Most people will laugh at Mcguinness' comments, which is more a stunt than anything."

Finlay Hails Rasharkin Band Competition as Success

Ballymoney DUP Councillor John Finlay has hailed the annual Ballymaconnelly Sons of Conquerors Band competition in Rasharkin on Friday night (19^th August) as a huge success.

He praised the organisers, bands and spectators for behaving peacefully and with dignity, which was in stark contrast to the protestors who jeered and shouted abuse at the bands as they passed.

Commenting John Finlay said:

"I praise Ballymaconnelly Sons of Conquerors for an excellent display of talent tonight in Rasharkin. Despite the restrictions placed upon the bands it offered an excellent night for all with an outstanding display shown by the bands.

I praise the spectators and all the bands that took part for behaving peacefully and with dignity. This was in stark contrast to the protestors who jeered and shouted abuse at the band members as they walked passed them. This was shameful, a reflection of hatred and intolerance and a disgraceful reflection on the protestors rather than the bands.

I congratulate all involved and thank everyone who took part." said the local DUP councillor.