Lest we forget:
THE playing of the sectarian Famine Song by a band taking part in an Remembrance Day parade outside a Catholic church has been condemned by nationalist politicians, clergy and community leaders.
The Apprentice Boys last night described the incident in which the Dunmurry Protestant Boys struck up the controversial tune as "unfortunate" and a "minor infringement" and hit out at attacks it says were carried out against participants in its parade.
In a statement the order condemned nationalist protesters it accused of breaching determinations.
And contrary to reports, the organisation said it had not expelled the band involved in the playing of the music.
"It is unfortunate that a minor infringement which was down to a breakdown in communication has allowed others to look at the outcome of yesterday's remembrance parade with a negative outcome," an Apprentice Boys spokesman said.
It was the second time the song - banned in Scotland - had been played outside St Patrick's church in central Belfast in the last six months.
On the Twelfth of July, the Young Conway Volunteers were filmed playing the Famine Song while marching in circles outside St Patrick's.
The PSNI said it was investigating the incident and also an alleged attack on a parade member.
The administrator at St Patrick's on Donegall Street said he was disappointed at the conduct of the band but optimistic that talking would continue.
However, Fr Michael Sheehan said people in the area were losing patience with the loyal orders after repeated flouting of determinations.
"I am disappointed that the determination has been broken again. This is the fourth time, the fourth month and the fourth parade this has happened," he said.
The Apprentice Boys said its members moved to stop the band from playing the song and expressed its concern "that there were also several breaches of the determination by Carrick Hill Residents Group including attempts to physically assault their members and a number of incidents when parading and playing members were spat on by protestors, that along with the verbal abuse which was directed at this parade".
The Carrick Hill Concerned Residents Committee hit out at the Parades Commission earlier this week after five bands were told they could play hymns at the flashpoint.
The ruling came after residents and the Apprentice Boys met for the first time last month in a bid to reach a deal ahead of the march.
Chairman of the group Frank Dempsey said Saturday's breach had caused insult to people.
"Now we have another march coming up on December 1 and we have to ask, when is someone going to uphold these determinations? Here we are again," Mr Dempsey said.
