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Thousands attend Belfast parade Thousands attend Belfast parade
(10 minutes later)
A homecoming parade for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan has taken place in Belfast.A homecoming parade for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan has taken place in Belfast.
Thousands of people, many waving Union flags, cheered as the parade made its way past city hall.Thousands of people, many waving Union flags, cheered as the parade made its way past city hall.
About 250 members of the armed forces took part, including soldiers from the Royal Irish Regiment, Irish Guards, Royal Dragoon Guards and the TA.About 250 members of the armed forces took part, including soldiers from the Royal Irish Regiment, Irish Guards, Royal Dragoon Guards and the TA.
A number of protest events were held in different parts of the city as the parade took place.A number of protest events were held in different parts of the city as the parade took place.
Sinn Féin protesters took part in a demonstration against the British Army's role in the Troubles. This assembled at Dunville Park in west Belfast and made its way to the city centre, close to where the forces parade was taking place.Sinn Féin protesters took part in a demonstration against the British Army's role in the Troubles. This assembled at Dunville Park in west Belfast and made its way to the city centre, close to where the forces parade was taking place.
DUP delegation, including NI First Minister, arrive at paradeDUP delegation, including NI First Minister, arrive at parade
At one point, Sinn Féin protesters and supporters of the parade were less than 100m apart.At one point, Sinn Féin protesters and supporters of the parade were less than 100m apart.
There were brief skirmishes and a number of bottles were thrown, however, police moved in to restore calm.There were brief skirmishes and a number of bottles were thrown, however, police moved in to restore calm.
Police stopped a separate dissident republican counter parade from marching into the centre of Belfast at the bottom of the Falls Road. They dispersed after a number of speeches were made.Police stopped a separate dissident republican counter parade from marching into the centre of Belfast at the bottom of the Falls Road. They dispersed after a number of speeches were made.
Earlier, several thousand people walked down the Shankill Road with banners welcoming the soldiers.Earlier, several thousand people walked down the Shankill Road with banners welcoming the soldiers.
Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly, speaking to protesters at Dunville Park in west Belfast, said the parade was a "provocative act which had split the city".Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly, speaking to protesters at Dunville Park in west Belfast, said the parade was a "provocative act which had split the city".
Earlier, his party changed the route of its protest and told troublemakers to stay away.Earlier, his party changed the route of its protest and told troublemakers to stay away.
Sinn Féin protest on way to city centreSinn Féin protest on way to city centre
Also last week, the RAF cancelled a planned fly-past and it was agreed soldiers at the parade would be unarmed.Also last week, the RAF cancelled a planned fly-past and it was agreed soldiers at the parade would be unarmed.
Sinn Féin said it was inappropriate to mark the homecoming because British troops were responsible for the deaths of Catholic civilians during the Troubles.Sinn Féin said it was inappropriate to mark the homecoming because British troops were responsible for the deaths of Catholic civilians during the Troubles.
But unionists said the Army had every right to walk the streets of Belfast. They said that the changes made to the parade meant troops in Northern Ireland would receive a different welcome home than soldiers elsewhere in the UK.But unionists said the Army had every right to walk the streets of Belfast. They said that the changes made to the parade meant troops in Northern Ireland would receive a different welcome home than soldiers elsewhere in the UK.
Major General Chris Brown, the General Officer Commanding in Northern Ireland, said the parade was a "fitting tribute".
"It's been an entirely appropriate welcome home for the troops after an arduous tour in Afghanistan and, for some of them, in Iraq," he said.
"Thanks very much to the efforts of Belfast city council and also, what a turn out from the city of Belfast, and thanks to all the support that we had to do this."
How do you feel about the parade? Did you support a homecoming celebration or do you think it is divisive and should not have taken place?How do you feel about the parade? Did you support a homecoming celebration or do you think it is divisive and should not have taken place?
Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124.Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
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