01/10/2026
PSNI Chief Offers Meetings Amid Drumcree Standoff
The Chief Constable, Jon Boutcher, alongside Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson, has offered to hold a series of meetings today, Wednesday 30 September, with organisations including the Orange Order and the Garvaghy Road Residents' Association amid the ongoing Drumcree policing operation.
The outreach is taking place in parallel with continuing discussions involving the Secretary of State, Sir Chris Bryant.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: "Over the last number of days the Police Service of Northern Ireland has once again become the shock absorber of our society.
"My officers and our mutual aid colleagues have and will continue to police Drumcree and our communities independently and impartially. The principle objective in achieving the Parades Commission determination is to do so peacefully.
"People shouting at me has absolutely no effect on my judgement and they would do well to learn that. My overriding responsibility is to keep people safe.
"We continue to seek to achieve compliance with the Parades Commission determination, obtained by the Orange Order, and have created the space for the ongoing talks at Hillsborough with the parties involved.
"To be clear the upholding of the Parades Commission determination does not come at any cost. The outstanding officers of the PSNI and our mutual aid colleagues will not allow society to implode into violent disorder and mob rule must not be allowed to win.
"A large scale criminal investigation is underway regarding unlawful protest on the Garvaghy Road. I have given a clear direction regarding prioritising the evidence gathering and a criminal justice process.
"We all need to focus our efforts on resolving this situation once and for all. I will not be part of this society moving backwards."
The outreach is taking place in parallel with continuing discussions involving the Secretary of State, Sir Chris Bryant.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: "Over the last number of days the Police Service of Northern Ireland has once again become the shock absorber of our society.
"My officers and our mutual aid colleagues have and will continue to police Drumcree and our communities independently and impartially. The principle objective in achieving the Parades Commission determination is to do so peacefully.
"We continue to seek to achieve compliance with the Parades Commission determination, obtained by the Orange Order, and have created the space for the ongoing talks at Hillsborough with the parties involved.
"To be clear the upholding of the Parades Commission determination does not come at any cost. The outstanding officers of the PSNI and our mutual aid colleagues will not allow society to implode into violent disorder and mob rule must not be allowed to win.
"A large scale criminal investigation is underway regarding unlawful protest on the Garvaghy Road. I have given a clear direction regarding prioritising the evidence gathering and a criminal justice process.
"We all need to focus our efforts on resolving this situation once and for all. I will not be part of this society moving backwards."
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Another cold start with frost in places and any fog patches quickly clearing. Remaining dry and settled during the day with plenty of sunshine and light winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Dry through the evening with lengthy clear spells. It will stay dry overnight with some frost in places again and areas of fog developing again. Minimum temperature -1 °C.