Orange Order seek review of Drumcree parade ban

The Portadown Orange Lodge have requested a formal review of a Parades Commission decision banning their annual controversial parade from Drumcree Church.

The Parades Commission made the ruling on Monday night for the fifth year running that the marchers cannot use the Garvaghy Road return route from the Orangemen’s church service on Drumcree Hill.

David Burrows Deputy District Master of Portadown Order said: “The Garvaghy Road dispute has come to symbolise the victimisation of Northern Ireland’s Unionist community.

“If we want to give peace a chance in Northern Ireland the Parades Commission must be abolished.”

A major security operation will again be mounted by the security forces to enforce the ruling when thousands of Orangemen gather.

Assistant Chief Constable Stephen White, who is in charge of the police operation in the area, said police would if necessary be ready on Sunday to make “effective and quick arrests”.

The commission ruled against the parade despite an 11th hour plea from Northern Ireland First Minister and MP for the Portadown area David Trimble for it to be allowed through this time.

In its determination on Drumcree, the Parades Commission said it believed the only way to bridge the gulf between the Orangemen and the Garvaghy residents was through mediated dialogue.

The Commission expressed disappointment that moves taken by the Orange leadership last year were not followed up and were eventually withdrawn by the Portadown lodge.

They were also “conscious of the recent history of political and community division associated with this parade”.

SDLP MLA for Upper Bann Bríd Rodgers said the decision by the Commission was “right”.

“I know that the people in Portadown on both sides are sick to death of the yearly suspense and trauma surrounding Drumcree. Dialogue remains the only way of resolving the issue,” Mrs Rodgers added.

(AMcE)