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Plans for military parade in Belfast halted
Monday, 16 March 2009
Images from The Royal Irish Regiment's homecoming parade in Belfast, Sunday, November 2, 2008.
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Plans for another military parade through Belfast have been halted following the murders of the two soldiers in Antrim, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal today.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph at a coalition military base in Basra, Lieutenant Justin Kennedy-Lunde said: “We were contemplating having a homecoming parade in each of our three recruiting areas, Sussex, Birmingham and Belfast. To my knowledge we have never marched in Belfast and it would have been fantastic.
“The regiment was contemplating doing it but obviously the situation — with protests against the Royal Irish march and the recent shootings in Antrim of the two Royal Engineer soldiers — has affected our decision and it is now extremely unlikely.
“It's a shame. It would be absolutely amazing to march through Belfast."
The 29-year-old from Donegal added: “We are an Irish regiment and for a lot of our guys we have had to maintain a low profile throughout the Troubles but with normalisation we were hoping to have been able to have come out of the shadows and let the community know who were are and that we are part of the community.”
The front line soldiers serving in Iraq have also expressed shock and revulsion at the recent dissident republican targeting of security forces.
Added Lt Kennedy-Lunde: “I think it is an absolute tragedy for the families involved and also for the regiment, for the Royal Engineers. I have friends in that regiment and I know that the regiment itself is in shock.
“People over here are just in a state of disbelief. They can't |believe that there is still an element within the community that wants to return to violence and disrupt the peace process that has been so successful. There have been so many leaps and bounds. In particular, it was only last year that we had the memorial service for the end of Operation Banner.
“Soldiers expect to put their lives on the line in their duty but I think the tragedy was that these guys were about to go to Afghanistan where perhaps something like that would be expected — and not the day before they were due to get on the plane to go, in Antrim.”
Captain Richard Fraser (29) from Enniskillen added: “When I was home on my ‘R&R' in mid February I went home in uniform.
“I was proud to step off the plane in Belfast airport in my desert combats and know that I didn't have to keep my head down and didn't have to watch my back. Now if I go back I will constantly feel like I have got to hide.
“I think in general a shooting like that doesn't just affect boys from back home.
“All of the guys are gutted and like me they think it just a real shame that all the problems in Northern Ireland could resurface again.”
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90 Comments
There is no place for this disgraceful parading of military might in Ireland. If they want to rub people's noses in their shenanigans let them do it in Bristol or Cowdenbeath or some British city, but stay away from Ireland, you've caused enough trouble here.
Posted by cecil | 07.04.09, 14:08 GMT
A few small facts worth note on why Ireland has a strong link to the USA.
The Irish Famines in 1741 & 45 saw the first mass migration of Irish people to the New World, on this occasion they were mainly Ulster Scot Presbyterians. Having suffered under the same British penal laws as Irish Catholics, the Presbyterians set up home and helped form the United States of America; many who fought for independence from the British and many who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 including many of the first Presidents of the USA came from Ulster Scot Presbyterian heritage.
The Great Famine a century later, after the USA had already been formed, saw the mass migration of Irish Catholics, who went on to build and develop the USA, notably the Police Force was an Irish institution up until the turn of the last century.
So, politically Ireland holds a place in the heart of Washington, as for the natural heritage of founders, the Germans and Dutch easily outnumbered us Irish.
Posted by Steven 73 | 20.03.09, 11:21 GMT
Stephanie: why on earth would Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness "need" to come to the U.S. for St. Patrick's Day because every American claims to be "3/16 Irish or whatever obsecure fraction"? Utterly illogical. I'm sure Ian Paisley in particular couldn't give a rat's ass about Irish-Americans. Furthermore, our Presidents have never gone to NI or the Republic hat in hand for either money or jobs for the American people.
silver_maestro: name one thing that I have written here that isn't factually true.
Posted by Morrison | 19.03.09, 14:50 GMT
Morrison, Well perhaps if every american didnt claim to be 3/16 Irish or whatever obsecure fraction they can concoct then there wouldnt be a need!! You also need to remember that you're presidents are awful fond of coming here also!!!
How it must be wonderful to have nothing better to do with your time than trawl the internet looking for ways to stir up trouble and comment on things you know nothing about.
My suggestion................ get a hobby!!
Posted by Stephanie | 19.03.09, 10:32 GMT
bc321 in Doire, you don't have exclusivity on being Irish, I am every bit as Irish as your are, but I don't need a Republic of Ireland passport to make me Irish, my United Kingdom passport is just fine.
History has placed all of us here, it is complex and deep, our interaction with Britain goes way beyond your simplistic 'occupied' nonsense. I am Irish, but I believe in Northern Ireland, it is your bigotry that doesn't believe you can be either Unionist or Protestant and also be Irish? Why?
I notice you are from Derry, you use the old Irish spelling Doire, do you realise that Doire’s original name was Daire Calgaich translating as ‘oakwood of Calgach’. Calgach was an ancient warrior and Caledonian leader who claimed this area of North West Ulster to be his, a simple example of British / Irish integration well before Cromwell.
If you want to live in the Republic of Ireland, you already have a passport, but I wish you'd accept that being Irish in Northern Ireland is equal.
Posted by Steven 73 | 19.03.09, 09:59 GMT
Morrison, what a complete waste of time effort and energy it was reading your posts. Absolutely useless and so arrogant they should be deleted. Get your facts straight before posting in future, that's my advice to you.
Posted by silver_maestro | 19.03.09, 09:49 GMT
Farrah, Ciaran etc
It doesnt matter if you believe in war or not or if you think you are occupied by foreigners!! The purpose of these marches is to welcome home these soldiers ALIVE. Maybe you both need educating in the job they actually do. Not many i know join the services just so they can shoot people. They are there to defend our country and our way of life against terrorists etc. I pray the taliban etc never come to Ireland because i bet my last penny that you and everyone who thinks like you will be the first people screaming for the British Army to come and save your sorry hides. Just a thought!!
Posted by a soldiers mum | 19.03.09, 09:03 GMT
Stephanie, conor, and lumina:
If you don't like Americans giving their $0.02 about the nonsense that goes on in your little country, then you shouldn't be sending Big Ian and Marty over here on St. Paddy's Day to troll for "investment" in the north (i.e., money and make-work jobs - we all know that is what they are really here for). Your clown politicians land over here every year around March 17 to beg for these handouts, which ultimately end up being subsidized by the American taxpayer one way or another. As one of these taxpayers, I think I'm entitled to voice my opinion on matters Northern Irish as a result.
Posted by Morrison | 18.03.09, 03:03 GMT
Joshua,
Excellent posts and far more mature and insightful than many on here. Interesting how a youth of 11 has far greater vision of mind than those that are supposed to be his mentors in life. War is never something desired but often something required. Terrorism is horrible regardless of what country you call home and being proud that your family members and friends are able to return to that home is truly something to be proud of. Parades of this type, in my experience, are held more often to show pride at one's return and to recognize those who did not - it is not to celebrate war or to show some form of dominance over an area (the 6 counties of NI for example).
My hat's off to you for not only looking towards the brighter future, but having the intellect and pride to request it of others. It is you, and those like you, that will be the end of the feud between the RoI and NI one day.
God bless.
Posted by HCarrollUSA | 17.03.09, 23:42 GMT
if the north is so far out of irish rule then why do i currently hold an irish passport, and why does every1 living in belfast entitled to an irish passport?grow up you, your bigotry is more than apparent. ireland remains one country, occupation of the 6northern counties is still ongoing and many believe themselves to be british from this. that is their personal choice. as it is my choice to live in in the north part of this country under my irish nationality. even the brits realised that even though they occupied our country and settled here by burning the people ff their land and stealing it for their own the irish still prevailed. they realised they couldnt wipe out the people of the north's irish identity and either can you. your british i get that, fair play to you, i hope it helps you sleep at night. i'm irish get over it..as try as you might, you can never kill that.
Posted by bc321, Doire | 17.03.09, 15:38 GMT
This parade SHOULD NOT be stopped under any circumstances, why let the few bigots that have attempted to destroy the peace here win!!
I also think that Morrison should worry more about America's problems than ours and keep his opinions to himself!! We all no the Yanks are far from perfect!! Whats your homicide rate per person there?????
Posted by Stephanie | 17.03.09, 13:56 GMT
Morrison try some discussion board on an American website then That might be more relevant to you
Arrogance from a knowall thousands of miles away
Posted by conor | 17.03.09, 12:24 GMT
Farrah
Joshua was born on Thursday 11th July 1997 in the Mater Hospital so now you can put your mind to rest.
It is about time we started listening to our children as they understand more than we give them credit for, i know i was in tears when i read what joshua said last night for a child to have such strong feelings just floored me.
Can we all please just try to get along with each other and stop all these snide remarks?
We all try on a daily basis to teach our kids right from wrong, well last night my 11yr old son taught me a lesson.
Parade or no parade the Royal Navy,Rir,Raf,will continue to do a fantastic job with little thanks from most of the people who post negitive remarks on this site but each member that is currently deployed or just returned home know how much the are loved and respected by their family and that means more to them.
It is Northern Ireland we live in and we will never see eye to eye on all things but for the sake of our kids we should at least try.
Posted by kerry | 17.03.09, 11:50 GMT
Lol, thanks Louisa! Doubts eased, I can sleep soundly tonight :P
Happy St Patrick's Day everyone!
Posted by Farrah | 17.03.09, 11:11 GMT
Ciaran, Belfast is in Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom and until such time as we the people of Northern Ireland decide otherwise, it shall remain so.
What is it with these minority of bigots, do you realise how ridiculous you sound, denying Northern Ireland, like saying it doesn't exist will actually make it go away, this isn't the Wizzard of Oz, there are no magic shoes!
Take a look Ciaran next time you're in NI (have you ever been, honestly, it's real), you'll notice Northern Irish bank notes, they are Sterling, our road signs are in miles per hour, the shared Assembly at Stormont may be worth a visit, you may get to see how Nationalists and Unionists actually live and work together in peace.
And as for your comment about people not being able to call themselves Irish pre the GFA, get a grip, I lived through the troubles and always called myself Irish, no one ever said a word to me, I've never heard such rubbish.
Anyhow, to all, happy St Patrick's Day!
Posted by Steven 73 | 17.03.09, 10:45 GMT
Farrah
To ease your doubts (as Joshua's granny) he was born on 11th July 1997 in Belfast.
Posted by Louisa | 17.03.09, 10:09 GMT
So much for all the hollow comments by Sir Hugh and the politicos after the murders in Antrim and Craigavon.
They said, very clearly too, the "dissidents" would not win. Yeah right. Two weeks later a homecoming parade for our soldiers cancelled due to threat of "dissident" violence.
"Dissidents" win!
Spare me the wringing hands and stand up to these thugs.
Let the soldiers march.
Yes, Morrison from Phili, I wonder how your comments would go down with American patriots. I thought America was the home of the parade.
Posted by lumina | 17.03.09, 09:56 GMT
I've just finished reading all of the comments here and all I can say is that you all sound like a bunch of clowns - all of you - catholic, protestant, nationalist/republican, loyalist/unionist, "irish" and "british". Do you realize how stupid you all sound to the rest of the civilized world considering what is going on? Parades? Marches? Is that all you people do? Is that the biggest thing you have to worry about right now? The Irish in the Republic don't want you and neither do the English (ahem, sorry, I mean "British"). The fact is they can't afford your sorry, sectarian asses no more. Both the Republic and the UK will be bankrupt before the year is out and soon after both are going to have to cut the "wee six" loose as a matter of necessity. You had best learn to get along.
Posted by Morrison, Philadelphia | 17.03.09, 03:22 GMT
To those knocking Erasmus, I'd just say a few straight forward things.
You know that your own allegiance to your country is more than symbols, more than pageantry like these parades or official seals or some government given 'right', right?
Well as for the other side, the fact it's officially whatever is almost irrelevant because they share the same feelings as you, just not for the same country.
Also I doubt wee Josh is 11 but there we go.
:P
Posted by Farrah | 17.03.09, 01:12 GMT
The army is there to kill the 'other' people, it's a fact.
They kill foreigners on our behalf on the 'say so' of an unaccountable government, thanks for that....
I don't agree with killing people so I won't be attending any parades to show my gratitude to people who are employed to kill.
If the ghosts of every person killed by this proud army could parade through Belfast there wouldn't be standing room in the city centre.
Posted by Farrah | 17.03.09, 00:51 GMT
90 Comments