The parade was registered by the Parades Committee with four bands and about 500 people who are expected to attend. Organized by the Irish Republican Socialist Party, it left Dunville Park at Falls Road at about 11.30am. before going up the road to Milltown Cemetery. Read more: The victim of Whitehead is named 64-year-old Alyson Nelson James Connolly Republican Flute Band, James Hope Flute Band, Craigneuk Flute Band and Cairde na hÉireann were to join the IRSP. PSNI officers were on the ground as a police helicopter watched the IRSP parade and will now investigate “suspicious offenses”. “Police were present at an alert parade in the Falls Road area of Belfast on Sunday 17 April,” a PSNI spokesman said. “A police operation has been launched, including the collection of evidence. We will now examine the material and based on the initial remarks, we have launched a criminal investigation into suspicious offenses during the parade. “As is normal for notified parades, we will also prepare a report to the Parade Committee on the conduct of the parade.” Huge crowds are expected to take part in the Easter celebrations to celebrate the 106th anniversary of the 1916 Resurrection. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou MacDonald is due to speak at the Graves’ National Association memorial service at Miltown Cemetery on Sunday afternoon. Read more: Arrests after “serious attack” by men in South Belfast Read more: Car burn and damage to soccer field in West Belfast Park To receive the latest news directly in your inbox, subscribe to our free newsletter.
