A ring of steel separated Orangemen commemorating the Battle of the Somme from residents of the Short Strand last night, maintaining the peace for a parade often marred by sectarian tension. The 'Mini-Twelfth', featuring more than 40 lodges and around 35 bands, has in previous years been the scene of interface trouble - but last night's passed off largely without incident. There was a heavy police presence and heavy-duty metal security barriers were employed. An Act of Remembrance held at the Belmont Road War Memorial was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony. Orange Order spokesman, Rev Mervyn Gibson, said he did not understood why there had been any objections to the parade. "We are not...
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