An SDLP councillor last night warned that tensions were already rising in Portadown ahead of this year's Drumcree parade.
SDLP councillor Dolores Kelly called on community leaders on both sides to use whatever influence they have to bring an end to nightly stone throwing on the Corcrain Bridge in Portadown.
Mrs Kelly said that stone throwing between loyalist and nationalist youths on the bridge was becoming a nightly event.
In October 1998 Catholic RUC man Frank O'Reilly (30) died five weeks after being hit with a homemade loyalist grenade during rioting at the bridge.
The Red Hand Defenders, a cover name for the LVF and UDA, claimed responsibility for Mr O'Reilly's murder.
The bridge, which was subsequently removed, was later rebuilt with work on it only being finished in recent weeks.
But Ms Kelly said she feared that recent stone throwing could lead to more serious trouble in the run up to Drumcree.
"There are teenagers coming every night from loyalist and nationalist areas to throw stones at each other on the bridge," she said.
"At the minute they are only young teenagers, but I am concerned that if this is allowed to continue more sinister elements could exploit the situation.
"Houses are being stoned and so are cars driving through the area."
The Craigavon councillor said that people living along the interface were now concerned about their safety.
"Some people moved out in previous years, but the residents who stayed are now considering leaving if this gets any worse," she said.
"A lot of Portuguese people who work in Portadown, Craigavon and Lurgan, live in this area and they must be very frightened at what is going on."
Ms Kelly said she had met unionist and nationalist community leaders in recent days in an effort to avert serious trouble.
"My biggest fear is that the nearer this gets to Drumcree, the more dangerous the situation will become," she said.
"I would appeal to parents on both sides to ensure that they know where their children are and that they are not getting caught up in this stone throwing."
