Northern Ireland's Parades Commission has ruled that an Orange Order parade may proceed along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown, marking the first time in nearly three decades that the Drumcree parade has been permitted to take this route, according to the BBC, the Financial Times and GB News.
GB News reported that the commission set conditions on the march, including a maximum of 35 participants — down from the 60 originally requested by Portadown District — with the procession beginning at 8am on September 27 and concluding at Carleton Street Orange Hall by 9.30am. Only the Portadown District banner is permitted on the Garvaghy Road stretch of the route, according to GB News.
Reuters reported that a Northern Irish court temporarily stopped the march, though the outcome of that legal action in relation to the commission's decision is not detailed in the available material.
Residents of the Garvaghy Road, a Catholic area, reacted with anger to the decision, according to RTÉ News. The Irish Times reported that residents are questioning whether the policing assessment underpinning the parade decision has changed.
How each side covered it
Center
- Reuters reported a court temporarily stopped the march.
- The Irish Times said residents are questioning whether the policing assessment has changed.
- BBC Sport and the Financial Times reported the parade was allowed to proceed for the first time in around 28 years.
- RTÉ News reported that Garvaghy Road residents were angry over the decision.
“Garvaghy Road residents angry after permission given for Orange Order Drumcree parade” — RTÉ News
Right
- GB News reported the parade was given the green light to return after almost 30 years.
- GB News detailed restrictions: a maximum of 35 participants, down from 60 requested.
- GB News reported the march must run from 8am to 9.30am on September 27, ending at Carleton Street Orange Hall.
- GB News noted only the Portadown District banner is allowed on the Garvaghy Road stretch.
“The Orange Order's Drumcree parade has been given the green light to return to Garvaghy Road for the first time in almost 30 years.” — GB News
Questions readers ask
What happened with the Orange Order parade on Garvaghy Road?
Northern Ireland's Parades Commission approved an Orange Order march along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown, the first such return march on this route in nearly 28 to 30 years, according to the BBC, the Financial Times and GB News.
Why does the Garvaghy Road parade matter?
The Garvaghy Road is a Catholic area in Portadown, and Orange Order parades there have historically been a source of tension in Northern Ireland; residents reacted with anger to the commission's decision, per RTÉ News.
What restrictions were placed on the march?
According to GB News, the Parades Commission limited the parade to 35 participants, set an 8am start time on September 27 and a 9.30am finish at Carleton Street Orange Hall, and allowed only the Portadown District banner on the Garvaghy Road stretch.
Did anything stop the parade from happening?
Reuters reported that a Northern Irish court temporarily stopped the march, though further detail on the legal proceedings was not provided in available reporting.
How did residents respond to the decision?
Garvaghy Road residents reacted with anger, according to RTÉ News, and The Irish Times reported that residents are questioning whether the policing assessment behind the parade decision has changed.
Sources · 7 outlet reports
- BBC SportCenterOrange Order parade along the Garvaghy Road can proceed, commission decides
- Financial TimesCenterNorthern Ireland allows controversial Protestant parade for first time in 28 years
- ReutersCenterNorthern Irish court temporarily stops Orange Order march through Catholic area
- RTÉ NewsCenterOrange Order given permission for limited Drumcree march
- Sky NewsCenterOrange Order parade in nationalist area of Northern Ireland to go ahead after appeal against ban
- The Irish TimesCenterOrange Order granted permission to march down Garvaghy Road for first time since 1997
- GB NewsRight-leaningOrange Order’s Drumcree parade given green light to return to Garvaghy Road for first time in almost 30 years