Loyalists threaten escalation of protests at Dungannon rally

A LEADING loyalist has called for protests against the Northern Ireland Protocol to be dramatically ramped up in the coming weeks.

Scores of police were on alert for potential trouble in Dungannon on Friday amidst fears that Tyrone’s first anti-protocol parade would be met with a counter-demonstration involving local republicans.

The event was held against the backdrop of serious trouble at a rally in Moygashel a year ago during which petrol bombs and masonry were thrown at the PSNI.

However the several hundred people who attended this latest protest fell well short of the crowd of 2,000 supporters and 1,000 participants forecast by organisers. Those who did attend included five local bands and the gathering heard one speaker warn that they now needed to take their opposition to the protocol to Dublin.

Prominent loyalist, Moore Holmes, said that there was no basis for power-sharing at Stormont until the protocol is removed and called for a rally to be held outside the Dail in Dublin.

“If, and we must ask ourselves how far are we prepared to go, getting louder means a peaceful demonstration at the port of Larne, then so be it,” he warned.

“If looking our opponent in the eye means a peaceful protest at Dublin’s Dail, then so be it. In any case, it matters not where we go but why we go and we go because our claims are true and our cause is just.”

Mr Holmes also condemned the British Government for ‘bowing to the threat’ of republican violence, and said there has arguably never been a more serious and dangerous threat to the Union than the protocol.

His comments came just hours after a peace event in Belfast involving the Tánaiste, Simon Coveney, had to be abandoned when a van believed to contain a bomb was driven into the grounds of Holy Cross Church.

On Friday United Unionist and Loyalist Coalition member, John Stevenson, said the determination to resist what he described as the ‘injustices’ against the loyalist people was clear.

He said the protest marked the completion of an attempt by loyalists to parade into Dungannon last year. On that occasion, trouble flared and petrol bombs and masonry was thrown at police in nearby Moygashel.

“We are here tonight at the invitation of young loyalists from Co Tyrone who last year gathered in Moygashel to make their opposition known against the border in the Irish Sea. They were denied the basic civil right to march and protest to Dungannon town centre,” he said.

“Tonight, we stand beside them in the centre of Dungannon to demand with them our rights as equal citizens.

“We are calling you onto the streets to the rallies and protests and we want you to make your voice and opinion heard. The politicians have failed us, their time has run out and they have put selfish and party interests before their country.

“Stormont will not return until we have our civil rights restored. Your voice, opinion, vote and feet on the ground all have consequences and we urge you to organise alongside us as one Unionist people and restore the constitutional integrity of Northern Ireland in the UK.”