On And On

It has been disappointing to hear on BBC Radio lately of further outbreaks of street violence in North Belfast. I have finally sorted out who is who.

Some Prince from the House of Orange came to Ireland ages ago to quell the Catholics. So those who are loyal to Mother England are Loyalists or Orangemen. Opposed to them are the Republicans or the Green, who wish England gone and a united Ireland.

The radio stresses that the majority of Belfast residents just want to get on with life. On our Black Cab tour, we drove through the neighbourhoods on either side of the 'Berlin Belfast wall'. These are working class neighbourhoods. Not every one is employed. The houses are small, with virtually no yards, on narrow streets. These people have lived through 'The Troubles', known others who have been injured or killed as a result, and these animosities are easily rekindled.

Recently, a Loyalist (Protestant) march ended RIGHT AT the Catholic Cathedral, where they sang anti-Republican songs. Organisers claim this finishing point "was coincidence".

So the Royalist march that followed days later ended up in street riots. Police were pelted with bottles, rocks and fireworks. Over two nights of violence, sixty police were injured.

An exasperated senior police officer has demanded that politicians stop procrastinating and act swiftly to end this mindless bloodshed.

This sectarian violence seems to be born from poverty, frustration, a need for excitement and long held prejudices. I really hope that some leaders within the two communities can start to move towards a lasting peace. A scaling down, or even ban, on the marches would be a starting point