HC Deb 23 May 1986 vol 98 cc337-8W
Mr. John David Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the estimated number of people participating in the republican parades during the Easter adjournment for which the required statutory notice was not given to the police; and against how many people prosecutions have been initiated as a result;

(2) what is the estimated number of people participating in the Loyalist parades during the Easter adjournment, which were held in contravention of a prohibition under Article 4(3) of the Public Order (NI) Order 1981; and against how many people prosecutions have been initiated as a result.

Mr. Scott

During the Easter adjournment (27 March to 8 April) approximately 2,100 people took part in four republican parades for which no statutory notice had been given to the police. Seventy-five people have already been identified with a view to prosecution and another 36 still have to be interviewed by the police.

Between 3,000 and 3,500 people participated in the loyalist parades which took place in Portadown on 31

March in contravention of a prohibition under article 4(3) of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. Twenty-nine people have been charged in connection with the parades and associated disorder, and another 60 still have to be interviewed by the police.

This was the only prohibition under the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 during the Easter adjournment.

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