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McGuinness accused as the Somme is remembered
Thursday, 2 July 2009
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The grand secretary of the Orange Order has urged Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness to condemn the IRA murders of Orangemen in a speech at a Somme commemoration.
The order held events across Northern Ireland last night to mark the 93rd anniversary of the epic First World War battle in which 5,500 members of the 36th Ulster Division were killed.
Grand secretary Drew Nelson accused Mr McGuinness of intolerance following his speech at a republican commemoration earlier this month.
“He accused us of sectarian provocation because we want to maintain our traditional parades,” Nelson said at an event in Annalong, Co Down.
“When our members take part in parades I believe that they are doing so as a re-affirmation of their Protestantism and their Britishness. And of course that is what Martin McGuinness hates about our parades.
“He is intolerant of any Irish people publicly declaring their Protestantism and Britishness.”
Nelson also called on the Deputy First Minister to condemn the murders “by the organisation you led” of 273 Orangemen during the Troubles.
“You must say clearly, without ambiguity, prevarication, conditionality or obfuscation, that these murders of your fellow Irishmen were wrong.”
Robert Dane, county grand secretary of Fermanagh, called for mutual respect of nationalist and unionist culture as he opened an Orange arch in Kesh.
“Nationalists and republicans have their own culture. Much of it based around Gaelic sport, music and dance. It is their culture and we should respect it, but the nationalist and republican community needs to understand parades are a central part of our culture,” he said.
In Glenarm Dr David Hume, Orange Order director of services, said the courage of those who fought in the Battle of the Somme would never be forgotten.
The battle had profound consequences for the future of Northern Ireland, he said.
“It would shape the face of modern Irish history.
“The foundation of Northern Ireland was laid in the trenches of the Somme.”
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This is not about a parade. It is about rubbing salt in wounds. Why not parade in an area that is less provocative? If you want to live in peace with fellow neighbors, have a little respect and consideration. I am glad that I do not have to hear those loud drums down my street. Not everyone wants to hear it.
Posted by Marie Flynn | 02.07.09, 21:05 GMT
As an evangelical Christian I want to clarify a common misconception that many have. While it is true that members of the Orange Order are Protestant it is also true to say that many Evangelical churches e.g. Reformed Presbyterian, Brethren, Baptist etc. forbid membership of lodges of any kind. The OO is a Masonic organisation which is peculiar to NI or places which have a large NI population. Most NI Catholics know little about it. As Christians we should love each other as Christ loved us!
Posted by Paul D | 02.07.09, 20:16 GMT
I don't undersdtand how the average joe soap, having raised a family and seen the ups and downs of life., Still has time for Marching. My Maternal Grandfather fought in the Egypt Campaign of 1882. his Son in WW1, and Dads Dad died of Gaspoisoning. I was an Officer in the British Merchant Navy for many years. I never understood Triumphalism. BUT LET THEM BANG THEIR DRUM IF IT MAKES THEM HAPPY. (my grandson says its childish, But what would he know ?) Out of the Mouth of Babes.
Posted by maitiu | 02.07.09, 17:23 GMT
My great-uncle, John Bradley, was one of the first men in Ireland to volunteer for service in the Great War. He served in the Second Battalion of the Irish Guards and died on July 9th. 1916 from wounds received at the Somme.
That the Orange Order would be out and about commemorating the ultimate sacrifice of this fine Irish Catholic, among many others, could be viewed as progress of sorts: but it must surely give him cause to smile down benignly upon us all from above.
Peter Murphy,
Brampton
Posted by Peter Murphy | 02.07.09, 16:00 GMT
Do these people know how to have a good time ? Why does their idea of a good time involve having a go at Catholics and shouting very loudly about how British they are ? Couldn't they just chill out for a while ? It's the summer for God's sake. Sink a cold one and stop annoying us with your silly parades.
Posted by Yip | 02.07.09, 15:19 GMT
...public pocket! Just take the upper hand, its not a 'we are giving up' situation! Or you won! It's a moral high ground! Even if just for the sake of Orange men and women to have a march free of taunts and bricks from Nationalist residents or worse! I would imagine the day would be a lot more pleasant for both sides because of that choice that you guys could make! Because all other choices unfortunately have been tried, including you marching where you want up until now and that isn't working!
Posted by Paul | 02.07.09, 12:32 GMT
These orangemen need to live in the present ! McGuinness is as likely to change his opinions as old Paisley will !
Quit all these stupid parades already and move on into the new millenium.
Posted by Joey McLaughlin | 02.07.09, 12:32 GMT
These Orange men are deluded.
Nationalists have no problem with orange/loyalist culture - they just don't want sectarian parades forced through their communities.
While does the Order NEED to march up Garavaghy, or past Ardoyne or erect flags where catholics have been recently lynched by a unionist mob??
Posted by ger | 02.07.09, 12:31 GMT
...This can be easily done by marching in areas where people do not feel offended by their presence, by marching where people, parents and children have been looking forward all year to seeing them; not where people have been dreading the marches! Where parents have been worrying about will their children be caught up and out throwing stones! I know of 2 marches where a small stretch of road causes major problems for both Orange men and local residents, not to mention the Police and....
Posted by Paul | 02.07.09, 12:26 GMT
No-one including the DFM is attacking Orangeism, or Protestant culture as that is part of our shared society whether we like it or not; most of us have accepted that. What the Orange order need to do to show they don't want the trouble that is associated with parades every year is to march noisily without any restrictions imposed by anyone at all, with all around happy and enjoying themselves flying flags, and not having to watch their backs for any throwing bricks or bottles at them...
Posted by Paul | 02.07.09, 12:22 GMT
If the Somme laid the foundations for NI 'a prot state for a prot people' no wonder many people would never commemorate it. One has to remember that this battle was just one little piece in a war between two imperialist alliances, not much worth celebrating there when one thinks about it. One could say it also shaped modern Irish history, far more Irish Catholics died in both world wars than Irish Prods, escpecially in WWI, and out thanks in 1918 when the majority voted out of the union, a WAR
Posted by Paul | 02.07.09, 12:00 GMT
Well said & please media, understand that there is a large amount of folk in this country enjoy this time of the year & do not subscribe to the Republician agenda that we must give up everything we hold dear. 2 members of my Orange lodge were murdered by the IRA & are forgot about apart from ourselves.
Posted by Stephen | 02.07.09, 10:00 GMT
Well said Drew Nelson. It is about time that people stopped the denigration and demonisation of Protestants and the Orange Order. It provides cover for those who have attacked them in the past and will probably do so in the future. We as a community have to stand together against all sectarianism and rascism no matter where it comes from. McGuinness has admitted he was a member of the IRA which conducted a sectarian,rascist murder campaign claiming over 1771 lives(source:Lost Lives)
Posted by Cliff | 02.07.09, 09:32 GMT
So are they Irish or british? Some of them also seem to be Scottish and Israeli!!
Posted by Tom | 02.07.09, 08:47 GMT