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No violence so far at Orange Order parade in North Belfast

Nearly 600 loyal order parades will take place across Northern Ireland on Tuesday to mark the Twelfth of July.

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The overall number of calls to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) was lower than a year ago, an early-evening update from the emergency service said.

In a joint statement on Sunday, they said: “The celebration of different memories, cultures and traditions in a respectful, dignified and peaceful manner has the potential to enrich our society”.

A senior police chief has praised those whose positive influence helped to ensure this year’s Twelfth of July parades passed off peacefully.

However, several families near the staunchly loyalist Shankill Road were left facing homelessness after their properties were burned beside an Eleventh Night bonfire marking the start of festivities on Monday.

In other bonfire-related incidents, a pet owner in Antrim said his cat sustained serious burns after it climbed on to a bonfire that was then lit, while Ulster Unionist MP Danny Kinahan apologised after being pictured posing in front of a bonfire which had an Irish tricolour placed on top. The road was later reopened and the police operation stepped down.

The parade dispersed at Woodvale without any trouble.

Marches near Catholic churches in the east and city centre were largely uneventful while the most volatile sectarian interface at the nationalist Ardoyne remained calm amid claims a deal to end the long-running dispute had been close.

Orangeman Gerald Solinas handed over a protest letter to an officer and claimed dissident republicans were “ruling” Belfast.

ACC Martin said there had been “a number of reported breaches of Parades Commission determinations”.

Ballysillan was the only one of the three restricted lodges that opposed the mooted deal with the residents.

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On one of the busiest policing days of the year, the sight of officers and band members joking together whilst queuing for doughnuts on Union Street was another welcome sight.

PSNI 'optimistic' marching season will pass off peacefully