Latest news
Locals refuse to be ‘soft touch’ on 12th
South Belfast News 16th of July 2008
by Gemma Burns
A South Belfast councillor has branded the state of the Lisburn Road a "disgrace" after the annual Twelfth marches at the weekend.
SDLP Councilor Niall Kelly said illegal drinking and public urinating on the road by spectators of the Orange Order marches gave the impression the people of Balmoral are a "soft touch" to allow such behaviour on their doorstep.
Almost 10,000 marchers and thousands of their supporters made their way from Belfast city centre up to Barnett's Demense via the Lisburn Road and Balmoral on Saturday.
Staff from Belfast City Council's cleansing department worked until late on Saturday night to clear the streets of debris.
Cllr Kelly said the Orange culture was overshadowed by the behaviour of supporters.
"The scenes I witnessed on the streets of South Belfast on the Twelfth were nothing short of a disgrace with widespread illegal drinking on the streets," he said
"The streets were littered with large amounts of rubbish, broken beer bottles, tins, boxes and other debris, leaving a large section of the Lisburn Road resembling a rubbish tip.
"The most serious concern that I have is that the provision of toilet facilities was almost non-existent. Malone Park Lane, and a number of other streets, were effectively turned into a public urinals with men and women, as well as boys and girls of all ages, going to the toilet in public.
"This is a very serious health and safety issue and I feel that in the future the Orange Order must provide more portable toilets, at various locations across Belfast.”
Mr Kelly said his criticisms were not an attack on the Orange Order or Orangeism but insisted there was a need to find a way for spectators to enjoy marches while the rights of residents are respected.
“This situation cannot be allowed to happen again,” he said.
"There seems to be an impression that the people of Balmoral are a soft touch and that we will tolerate this kind of behaviour. I will be writing to the Orange Order about how improvements can be made for future parades and will be in contact with the PSNI in relation to these matters."
The Balmoral councillor attended the launch of Orangefest in East Belfast on the eleventh night.
"On the eleventh night I, along with my party colleague, Councillor Bernie Kelly, attended the launch of Orangefest, at the Park Avenue Hotel, and it was a wonderful display of Orange tradition," he said.
"I am disappointed however that the Orange culture appears to have been hijacked as an excuse to drink in the streets."
Our Papers
Subscribe To Newsletter
Send us your e-mail address and we'll keep you up to date with what's happening on BelfastMedia.com
Printing
BMG Print Factory
Log on to our new Print Factory website where you can order everything from Christening tickets to party specials starting from just £22.50. Click here for more information.
What to do next...
Courses Guide
Your indispensable guide on what to do next after the results come in including: hundreds of courses, Open University courses, Foundation Degrees, UCAS clearing, renting, dealing with finances and much, much more. Click here to read our guide.
