‘Ban Ulster March’ Plea

Press, Issue 32345, 10 July 1970, Page 13

‘Ban Ulster March’ Plea

(N.Z.P.A .-Reuter —Copyright) LONDON, July 9. The Irish Republic Foreign Minister (Dr Patrick Hillery) called on the British Government last night to deal strongly with Northern Ireland’s militant Protestant group, the Orange Order. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the British Foreign Minister (Sir Alec Douglas-Home), Dr Hillery described the Order as “a threat to peace in Ulster, a lawless, malignant thing which the Northern Ireland Government cannot handle.” Dr Hillery said that it was up to the British Government to reassert its authority in Northern Ireland, and to deal firmly with the Orange Order, which, he said, was now not subject to any authority. Earlier yesterday, Sir Alec Douglas-Home had assured Dr Hillery that equal protection would be given to all citizens of Northern Ireland

in the enforcement of law and order, and that equal penalties would be imposed on all offenders. One of the principal subjects discussed during Dr Hillery’s 35-minute session with Sir Alec Douglas-Home was the Orange Order’s traditional march through Belfast, due to take place on Monday. Dr Hillery said that he had told Sir Alec Douglas-Home that the march could lead to bloodshed, and that he had asked him to have it banned in sensitive areas, or rerouted. Another subject discussed at the Foreign Office was. Dr Hillery’s secret visit to ‘the Roman Catholic Falls Road area of Belfast on Monday. The visit was criticised by Sir Alec Douglas-Home in the House of Commons as being a serious diplomatic discourtesy and an error of judgment, because Dr Hillery made it without telling the British and Northern Ireland authorities.

Asked by reporters if he considered he had been guilty of a serious diplomatic discourtesy, Dr Hillery said:

“I would not ask foreign ministers of other countries to base their behaviour on me at all. I am an Irishman, and if diplomatic niceties are so used as to prevent a large section of Irish people from getting fair play, then I will not play to the rules.” Dr Hillery added that he did not tell the authorities about his visit because he had not wanted to go down Falls Road surrounded by troops and police. Of his Government’s past warnings to the British Government about the Orange Order, Dr Hillery said: “Each time it was felt that we were being a bit excited over it. Each time we were right. On two occasions people were killed. This time it is going to happen again. Do you want us to tell people: ‘Lie down and let people walk on you?’ “Until, some day, somebody handles this malignant thing called the Orange Order, which is not subject to the Government of Northern Ireland, not subject to any authority, then, until that day, there will be no peace in Northern Ireland.”