Orangemen and residents reach Derry march deal

Orangemen will parade in Derry's west bank next month for the first time in 20 years, following a groundbreaking agreement announced…

Orangemen will parade in Derry's west bank next month for the first time in 20 years, following a groundbreaking agreement announced last night.

The city's chamber of commerce said agreement had been reached between the nationalist Bogside Residents Group and local members of the Orange Order over the Twelfth of July parade.

The deal, described by the chamber as "historic" had been brokered at meetings involving the two groups and representatives of business, community and church.

The Orange Order and the residents group did not meet face to face but residents' concerns were addressed by the Orangemen through the other groups, said the chamber.

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It urged others in Northern Ireland to follow the lead and end what it called "the annual ritual of parades conflict" from the North.

The chamber said it had ensured that the celebrations by all Loyal Orders could take place in an atmosphere of "tolerance and understanding". It added that the agreement over the march sent out positive messages about life and developments in the city.

Earlier this month 18 police officers were wounded at the controversial Tour of the North loyalist parade in Belfast when missiles were thrown by nationalist protesters as the parade passed the nationalist Ardoyne.

Several Orange Order marchers were also injured during violent clashes as they marched through a nationalist enclave in the north of the city. Petrol bombs, stones, golf balls and bottles were thrown during the clashes.