Republican rescue ABOD banner

[Harry]

Republicans to the rescue after loyalist banner stolen
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Sunday, July 15, 2007

By Alan Murray

REPUBLICANS rescued an Apprentice Boys bannerette taken from a vandalised Orange Hall on the Twelfth.

The standard was recovered from dissident republicans in Co Antrim after senior Sinn Fein figures were alerted to the attack on Rasharkin Orange Hall.

One bannerette belonging to the Apprentice Boys was discovered missing by Orangemen who arrived at the hall - which was plastered in Continuity IRA slogans - on the Twelfth.

Republicans in Belfast were contacted about the missing bannerette and they told republicans in Co Antrim to search for and recover it.

Within hours, the damaged bannerette was retrieved from youths sympathetic to dissident republicans and returned to Orangemen in Rasharkin.

One loyalist said it was the second time in a month when republicans gave their word to do something and it was done.

"In Lurgan, tricolours appeared and an undertaking was given that they would be taken down and they were taken down overnight.

"Now this bannerette has been recovered and, even though there was considerable damage caused to the Orange hall, people are grateful that the bannerette was rescued."

The source added that the move "shows a genuineness which hopefully can be developed".

[Harry]

I suppose fair play to those who help find it. Disgust to those who done it and know doubt these same people will be crying out for their rights etc when it comes to Loyalist parades in the village but they have no care for the rights of others

[Blue Angel]

I consider that disgusting myself Harry -my disagreements with loyalism or orangeism generally are those of an intellectual nature and every time I see pettiness like this from either side it irks me. I suppose there is a certain smugness to my position as I did not have to grow up admist the tensions and antagonism of the six counties and thus my republicanism is probably considered mild by some people and possibly almost west British even but I think it is possible to engage an opponent in debate (even heated debate) in a more meaningful way than tribalistic little shows like damaging banners, attacking halls -whether GAA or Orange - and so forth. Oh hang on, I am feeling foolishly optimistic about human nature again aren't I people ?

[Wasp]

I for one warmly welcome what those republicans did in recovering the banner. Things like this through time will IMO help mend a few badly broken bridges and bulid trust. As far as those who done it are concerned the word scum sums them up.