Orange Order to 'honour' UDA man near spot where teen son shot dead by loyalist terrorists
The mother of a Catholic teenager murdered by loyalists has urged the Orange Order to rethink a planned parade to "honour" a UDA man killed by republicans 25 years ago.
UDA member Jim Guiney was assinated by the INLA in January 1998
9th January, 2023.
Marian Walsh was speaking after it emerged the (OO) religious order has organised a parade to remember UDA member and fellow Orangeman Jim Guiney later this month.
She on Sunday night branded the planned parade as "insensitive".
Her son Damien (17), pictured below, was shot dead by the UDA/UFF as he worked at the Dairy Farm shopping centre near Twinbrook on the outskirts of west Belfast in March 1993.
The teenager was murdered not far from where the West Belfast UDA murdered him and where the Orange Order intends to hold a memorial parade for Mr Guiney (pictured above) on January 21st.
The Parades Commission website confirms the march, which has not been marked 'sensitive', has been notified by LOL 1981.
Lisburn Fusiliers Flute Band and 90 participants are expected to take part in the parade, which will begin at Milltown shops before making its way to Derriaghy, Milltown Avenue and Milltown Crescent.
Mr Guiney was executed at his carpet shop in Dunmurry by the INLA on January 19th 1998.
At his funeral 16 men, some wearing Orange sashes, flanked his coffin, which was draped in a UDA flag and Glasgow Rangers Jersey.
Damien Walsh was 17-years-old, when murdered by the UDA/UFF in March 1993
Ms Walsh on Sunday night urged the parade organisers to reconsider the event.
"They are willing to do this for a UDA man. Regardless of the fact that he is also an Orangeman, I mean, it's approving whatever he did when he was in the UDA," she said.
"I would urge them to rethink it because it's sending out a message that they support paramilitarism."
Ms Walsh said that as the mother of a teenager murdered by the UDA "that's what makes it all the more sad, that they would do this".
"It's definitely insensitive," she added.
"It's very close to where Damien was killed."
Mr Guiney was shot dead just weeks after the INLA killed former UVF and LVF commander Billy Wright in the H-Blocks, sparking a series of sectarian tit-for-tat reprisals by loyalist paramilitaries.
Although a member of the UDA, it had been claimed by fellow members that Mr Guiney was said not to have played an active role for several years, with loyalist sources suggesting he supported the peace process and the UDA ceasefire.
A post pictured above, circulated on social media pages linked to the Ulster Political Research Group, which offers analysis to the UDA, said "LOL 1981 based in Lisburn will be holding a parade in his [ Mr Guiney's] honour" later this month.
"This is strictly an Orange Order parade and only Orange brethren are permitted to walk and take part in the parade. Please wear full colours," the post states.
The post adds that after the parade ends at Milltown Crescent, wreaths will be laid at a "community memorial garden".
The Orange Order was contacted for comment.
Follow these links to find out more on this story: Orange Order parade to 'honour r' UDA man who 'creates tension'
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