A mixed north Belfast street at the centre of an Irish language signage row was included in the route of a loyalist parade to “intimidate” locals, it has been claimed.
North Belfast SDLP councillor Carl Whyte has written to the PSNI and Parades Commission after loyalists marched through the mixed Sunningdale Park North area on July 11.
The event branded ‘Ballysillan Community Parade’, included one band and up to 100 participants.
There was controversy earlier this year after unionists failed in a bid to block the erection of dual Irish/English signage in the area.
In a letter to the PSNI, Mr Whyte pointed out that similar parades have previously taken place in the area.
“This year however saw the addition of Sunningdale Park North to the parade route,” he wrote.
“Sunningdale Park North has never been on any traditional parading route yet this year, in a complete surprise to residents, it found itself the focus of an Eleventh Night parade, which included the broadcasting of pro-loyalist slogans through a megaphone and resulted in the closure of the street for a period.
“I have been contacted by a number of local residents who feel this parade was an attempt to intimidate because of the erection of a dual-language street sign earlier this year.”
While details were notified to the Parades Commission, it was not marked as sensitive, and no determination was issued.
Mr Whyte believes the PSNI was wrong not to red flag it.
“It was a mistake for the PSNI not to categorise this parade as contentious so that it be considered by the Parades Commission and I have requested that they do so in future,” he said.
“The Parades Commission can also categorise parades as contentious and in this case should have done so given the addition of Sunningdale Park North to this route.
“I have also written to the commission asking that they do the same from now on so that residents, businesses and others in the area can have their views heard on this issue.”
A spokeswoman for the PSNI said: “Determinations in relation to parades are a matter for the Parades Commission.”
A spokesman for the Parades Commission said: “All parade notifications received by the Parades Commission will be processed by the commission within the framework of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 and its Procedural Rules.”
In April this year a DUP amendment to block a committee decision to stop signs going up at Wynchurch Avenue, Sunningdale Park North, Ben Madigan Park South and Wellington Park Terrace failed.
Applications linked to the four streets had previously been deferred after they met the threshold for dual signage but had a greater number opposing the move.
Under the current policy at least one resident of any street, or a councillor, is required to trigger a consultation on a nameplate change, with 15% in favour sufficient to have the sign put up.