6 July 2000

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Ormeau Decision Inevitable

South Belfast Sinn Fein Councillor Seán Hayes has said the decision to re-route the Orange Order away from the Lower Ormeau area as the only proper determination that the Parades Commission could have reached in light of the failure of the Order to engage with the residents.

Councillor Hayes said:

``The Orange Order have failed to have any engagement with local residents. In previous years the Order have relied on the brutality of the RUC to force their parade through the Lower Ormeau.

``It is a relief to residents in the Lower Ormeau that the RUC will not be used this year to attack local people in order to force their allies in the Orange Order through an area where they are not wanted.

``The Orange Order must realise that they have to engage with local communities in a positive and constructive way. Dialogue is the only way forward. The leadership of the Loyal Orders must realise that intimidation and violence will not work.''

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