AN Ardoyne residents’ group has rubbished claims by a DUP MLA that it was involved in talks with the Orange Order to facilitate parades through the district.
 
The claim was made by North Belfast MLA Philip Brett on BBC Radio Ulster’s Talk Back programme. Mr Brett was speaking during a discussion following the High Court judgement to quash a Parades Commission decision on the controversial Drumcree parade.

Between 2016 and 2024 the Parades Commission ruled that the July 12 Orange Order return parade could not pass Ardoyne Shops. During the radio interview Mr Brett claimed that after “discussions between the Orange Order and residents and political representatives” that for the past two years return parades have taken place on July 13.

“That was a result of dialogue, discussion and compromise,” he added.
 
However, Crumlin Ardoyne Residents' Association have dismissed the claims that the group was involved in talks with the Orange Order. In a statement the group said:  “For the record, CARA made it clear to the Parades Commission that we are against any such return parades and specifically the parades on 13th July 2025 and 14th July 2026.
 
“In spite of this, the Parades Commission chose to allow the Orange Order to parade up the Crumlin Road between the Nationalist areas of Mountainview and Ardoyne.

“CARA were not involved in any discussions with the Orange Order, on the subject of these parades, as the Orange Order had withdrawn from any talks in 2024.”

Echoing the CARA statement North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said: "As a Sinn Féin MLA serving North Belfast since 1998, Ardoyne was part of the constituency that I was responsible for, I was there at the time of the Agreement, published in 2016, between CARA and the Orange Order which brought an end to the ‘Twaddell Camp’.

"I listened to Philip Brett’s comments on the BBC Ulster Talk Back show on Wednesday August 8th. I have also read the rebuttal of Philip Brett's comments by Crumlin Ardoyne Residents’ Association. 

"I know that the statement issued by CARA is an accurate account of their views and actions pertaining to the Parades Commission and also about the Orange Order’s public withdrawal from dialogue.

"As an elected representative I met with them and supported their position over many years in meetings with various Parades Commissions."