§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement concerning the IRA march in Northern Ireland during the Easter period.
Mr. Humphrey Atkins Ipresume my hon. Friend is referring to the main Republican parade in Belfast on Sunday 6 April.
The parade started from Beechmount Avenue at 13.39 hours and proceeded via Falls Road to Milltown cemetery arriving there at 14.03 hours. It consisted of approximately 800 persons and 11 bands; some 2,000 spectators lined the route.
The parade passed off without any serious incidents, though police inquiries are continuing into the commission of a number of offences in connection with the event.
Prior to the arrival of the parade at the Republican plot in Milltown cemetery, an explosion occurred causing damage to a new memorial and surrounding gravestones. Two people at a nearby grave 121W were treated for shock. The police are also investigating this incident.