Thousands of protesters blocked Portadown’s Garvaghy Road after an overnight Belfast court ruling said the Orange Order’s Drumcree parade could proceed through the predominantly Catholic area for the first time in decades. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged calm.
The Drumcree parade had been banned since 1998 and was associated with violent clashes during The Troubles. DUP leader Gavin Robinson said 35 Orangemen could walk silently along Garvaghy Road. He said the Court of Appeal found an injunction had been granted in error and the High Court confirmed the Parades Commission’s determination must be respected.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant said he was cutting short his time at Labour’s party conference to travel to Belfast and speak with local leaders, and urged people to cooperate with police. First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the renewed dispute called the peace process and 28 years of progress into question; Robinson said she should uphold lawful decisions rather than inflame opposition.
