Rasharkin parade marred by violence
Thursday, 17 July 2008
The Mayor of Ballymoney, John Finlay pictured beside the sealed off Main Street in Rasharkin on the Twelfth after a bomb scare delayed the parade.
Ballycastle and Bushmills District Lodges travelled to Rasharkin to celebrate the 318th anniversary of The Battle of the Boyne, on Saturday, July 12, but commemorations were overshadowed by violence and the use of CS spray.
There was a bomb hoax in the village, a fight between two separate groups, and the windows of a family home in Bamford park were smashed by thugs.
The most serious violence of all the twelfth day parades took place on Saturday evening when police used CS gas spray to control a fight which broke out between nationalists and loyalist bandsmen in the village.
Tension had been running high after an attack on the Orange Hall in the early hours of the morning when a large quantity of paint was poured over the front and side of the hall, as well as flammable liquid.
The liquid didn't ignite and there was no fire damage.
Later, thousands of Orangemen who travelled to Rasharkin for the annual twelfth celebrations were prevented from making their way to the main county parade for a short time because of a hoax bomb alert.
SDLP assembly member Declan O'Loan said the clashes had seriously damaged community relations.
He said: "Members of the Ballymaconnelly Flute Band were attacked. Bricks were thrown at them and I understand youths were carrying hurling sticks. There were a number of injuries, though fortunately not serious."
Mr O'Loan said that two Orangemen had to receive hospital treatment after fighting outside a local bar.
"There is now a state of considerable tension with feelings of anger and resentment. This could lead to worse incidents if it's not brought under control. There is a responsibility on everyone to do what they can to calm down the situation," he said.
DUP Cllr John Finlay added: "I am absolutely appalled at the goings on in Rasharkin both on 11th and 12th of July. On 11th July a Protestant home was attacked and a window broken. Then in the early hours of 12th morning a petrol bomb and paint bombs were thrown at Rasharkin Orange Hall.
