Jayne Dunlop said: “We need a responsible approach to be taken by all sides on this matter.
“Every year this situation seems to become more tense and the police have to deal with a volatile situation. To put a hoax bomb in the middle of this charged atmosphere is purely malicious and designed to cause maximum disruption. The police were left with the unenviable task of sorting this out. Instead of criticising the police, Sinn Fein representatives should be thanking the police for ensuring that the hoax was dealt with properly and everyone should be grateful that it was not a bomb and that no-one was hurt as a result.
“The squabble over the parade is put into perspective when there is the threat of a possible bomb. It’s time for Sinn Fein representatives to get their priorities right and focus on relieving tension in Rasharkin. All sides need to work together on this matter to prevent tensions.”
ENDS