Ballymaconnelly Sons of Conquerors have again been refused by the parades commissioner, to walk along their traditional route through the village of Rasharkin.
As part of their 11/1 submission — the legal & formal requirement to organise a parade — the band offered up two options to the commission ahead of their annual parade on August, 19.
The first option would have allowed all 25 bands to parade the village via the traditional route.
The second option would again have allowed all 25 bands to walk but only one way to the other end of the village before dispersing, returning to their cars themselves. This proposal would then allow only Ballymaconnelly to complete the traditional route.
Both these options were rejected.
In a statement posted on the bands Facebook page, they state: “The parades commission have rejected both proposals by the band, and have forced us outside the village onto the Bann Road once again, with no re-entrance into the village.
“They argued that a dispersal at the Finvoy road side of Rasharkin, and normal band members walking back to their cars on a public footpath would constitute an unofficial parade.
“It is clear that the PUL community is not welcome in Rasharkin even in these great times of an equality push from you know who, and the commission is happy for this discrimination to proceed.
“Ballymaconnelly will always maintain our grace in walking through our village, and we look forward to welcoming the 24 supporting bands on the 19th August.”
