Masked Republican Colour Party Marches Through West Belfast for Easter Commemoration
A masked republican colour party marched through west Belfast on Easter Sunday afternoon as part of an Easter commemoration organised by the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP), drawing criticism from unionist politicians who described the event as an "insult to victims of terrorism."
The procession, which began at Dunville Park and made its way to Milltown Cemetery, featured participants dressed in black attire, complete with berets and sunglasses, their faces obscured by masks. A police presence was visible along the parade route, monitoring the proceedings as they unfolded.
The Parade
The IRSP, which is widely considered to be the political wing of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA), organised the event as part of the traditional Easter period commemorations for those who died during the 1916 Easter Rising and subsequent conflicts. The marchers proceeded to the republican plot within Milltown Cemetery for a commemoration event.
The appearance of a masked and uniformed colour party is a contentious issue in Northern Ireland and is often subject to scrutiny by law enforcement and political opponents. The event passed without incident as the participants completed their march to the cemetery for the planned ceremony.
Political Reaction
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader condemned the parade, describing it as an insult to victims of terrorism. The appearance of masked individuals in paramilitary-style uniforms on the streets of Belfast remains deeply sensitive given the legacy of the Troubles and the ongoing work of reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
The Easter period is traditionally a time for republicans to hold commemorations, and multiple events took place across Belfast and the wider island of Ireland over the weekend. The state commemoration in Dublin, attended by President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheal Martin, provided a contrasting image of how the Easter Rising is marked at an official level.
Why It Matters
The annual Easter commemorations in Northern Ireland remain a sensitive and contested issue, reflecting the unresolved tensions that persist in the region despite the peace process. The appearance of masked colour parties raises questions about the boundaries of acceptable commemoration and the ongoing influence of dissident republican groups.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers monitored the event, and no arrests were reported in connection with the parade.
What's Next
The PSNI is expected to review footage from the event as part of its ongoing monitoring of paramilitary-style activity in Northern Ireland. Political debate about the appropriateness of masked parades is likely to continue in the days ahead.
Full coverage at Belfast Telegraph.
