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Unionists want second Love Ulster rally A repeat of
the controversial Love Ulster rally, which caused scenes of rioting in
Dublin’s city centre last year, could be on the cards for this autumn.
Organisers met with senior Garda officers in Dublin recently to discuss
the feasibility of holding another march.
While a date for another rally was not discussed, afterwards the leader
of Families Acting for Innocent Relatives (FAIR) a group representing
Unionist victims of the Troubles suggested it might take place
in August or September.
Willie Frazer predicted that about 3,000 people would travel to Dublin
to attend such a rally and 25 bands might take part.
But Gardaí have said that they had not been given any details or
figures during the meeting and those talks had centred on the feasibility
of staging another march rather than deciding on when or where.
FAIR members are seeking a low-key security operation for their proposed
march.
But Gardaí said that along with the constitutional right to freedom
of movement, the views of other interested parties such as the business
community in the capital, as well as the common good, also had to be taken
into account.
After the violence last February rally participants had to be bused out
of Dublin with a Garda escort, while other members of the force fought
running battles with people on the streets.
More than 100 suspected troublemakers were charged with criminal offences
as a result of a lengthy Garda investigation into the rioting.
Fourteen people, including six Gardaí, were injured in last year’s
riots, which resulted in large-scale looting as shop windows were smashed
and premises ransacked.
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