T4K3.news

Harris Boyle Memorial parade scheduled for Saturday

The parade in Portadown may attract controversy over its historical associations.

July 28, 2025 at 11:54 AM

Parade risks 'glorification of terrorism'

The Harris Boyle 50th Anniversary Memorial parade is set for Saturday in Portadown.

Parade raises concerns about glorifying terrorism

This Saturday, the Harris Boyle 50th Anniversary Memorial parade will take place in Portadown, County Armagh, drawing over 400 participants and 15 bands. The event has sparked controversy due to its association with Harris Boyle, an individual implicated in the notorious Miami Showband murders of 1975. Upper Bann MLA Eoin Tennyson has expressed concerns that such events could glorify acts of terrorism, emphasizing the need for sensitivity regarding victims' perspectives when commemorating the past.

Key Takeaways

✔️

The Harris Boyle parade will feature over 400 participants.

✔️

There are concerns it glorifies a figure linked to terrorist actions.

✔️

Eoin Tennyson stresses victims' perspectives should be central.

✔️

This event reflects ongoing tensions in Northern Ireland.

✔️

Community celebrations can sometimes evoke historical wounds.

✔️

Balancing remembrance with sensitivity is a societal challenge.

"Victims should be at the heart of any discussion we're having about celebrations, commemorations and speaking about our past."

Eoin Tennyson emphasizes the importance of victim perspectives in events like the parade.

"The parade risks stepping over the line into the glorification of terrorism."

Tennyson warns that the parade may celebrate a controversial figure linked to violence.

The upcoming parade illustrates the ongoing struggle in Northern Ireland with how to remember historical events tied to violence. While parades are often used to honor local figures, the potential for glorifying controversial past actions is a real concern. Eoin Tennyson's comments highlight the delicate balance between community celebrations and respectful remembrance of violence's victims. It raises questions about which narratives dominate public memory and how those stories affect societal healing.