Anti-protocol parade planned for Dungannon

HUNDREDS of loyalist and Unionist protestors from Mid-Ulster are expected to converge on Dungannon later this month for an anti-protocol parade.

Organisers are urging family and friends to attend and urge for the ‘The Square to be packed’, as the infamous Irish sea border remains in place.

It will be the first significant protest against the protocol in Tyrone, and is taking place on Friday, March 25. The event is being organised by a new group called the ‘Dungannon United Unionist Front’.

In a social media post announcing the protest, the group describes itself as having been set up to represent all shades of Unionism and Loyalism in the Dungannon district.

“A number of bands have been invited and proceeds get underway at 7.30pm from Scotch Street carpark. The parade will make its way to Market Square via Park Road and Church Street,” they said.

“There will be a short address by guest speakers, whereupon conclusion the parade will return to Scotch Street.”

Notification of the parade is understood to have been submitted to the Parades Commission at the end of last week. However, the Parades Commission have yet to publish further details about the number of bands taking part or an estimate on the numbers expected to attend.

However, the likelihood of a number of prominent anti-protocol speakers who have attended other such events in Markethill and Newtownards recently being in attendance at Dungannon is unclear at the moment.

On the same night as the Dungannon protest, parades and rallies have also been planned in Ballymoney and in Lurgan.

Among those who have been billed as speaking at the Ballymoney event are TUV leader and MLA, Jim Allister, loyalist, Jamie Bryson and the former Labour MP, Kate Hoey.

The Lurgan event is expected to attract 5,000 participants and 50 bands and it is understood that both Mr Allister and Mr Bryson will also address this event.

There is, however, the possibility that, considering the relatively close proximity of Dungannon, that they could also make the trip to the Tyrone town.