WALKING DREAD
Row over procession wake of march ‘attack’ on priest
COUNCILLORS will today be urged to divert another loyalist parade away from a Glasgow church where a priest was “spat on”.
The procession, proposed by the Rising Star of Bridgeton Royal Black Preceptory, is planned for Saturday.
But Glasgow City Council bosses are asking organisers to change the route following an incident when it is claimed supporters of an Orange Walk assaulted a Catholic priest.
Canon Tom White was “spat on” and “verbally abused” outside St Alphonsus’ Church on London Road on July 7. A man, 24, has been arrested.
The march – featuring around 60 people – would run from Tullis Street to George Square, passing through the east end for a wreath-laying ceremony.
The Rising Star of Bridgeton Royal Precepetory – who are separate from the Orange Order – have refused to change their plans, meaning the decision will have to go before a public processions committee today.
It comes after the Grand Orange Lodge cancelled a parade on August 25 after the council banned them from passing St Alphonsus’ Church in light of recent tensions.
Although there have been no issues with Rising Star of Bridgeton Royal Precepetory marches in the past, police fear the already volatile situation could boil over, should a parade pass the church. Police say the likelihood of “significant protests” would increase once details of the proposed route on September 8 were made public.
In a submission to the council, Superintendent John McBride said: “This parade causes a serious concern for the police in terms of public order and disruption to the life of the community. This is because it can be reasonably expected that there will be a significant protest to the parade should it occur.”
He added he would have to deploy extra officers to ensure the safety of the public.
He said: “It is my view that the resources which would be required to police the parade would be disproportionate to the numbers involved in the parade.”
The council acknowledge the Rising Star of Bridgeton Royal Precepetory has marched past St Alphonsus for several years without major incident.
But due to recent events, they say that on this occasion there is a “high risk of public disorder”.