28/06/2010
Drumcree Paperwork Submitted
Orangemen have finally handed in vital paperwork seeking formal permission for their annual Drumcree Sunday parade, scheduled for next Sunday.
The official form was handed over – three weeks past the deadline - to a police officer to the backdrop of Drumcree Parish Church where the Portadown Orange district has staged a protest every Sunday since 1998, when their return parade via the Garvaghy Road was banned.
The move comes after a meeting on Wednesday night of the town's 28 lodges when they agreed to hold back seeking permission as late as possible. The parades commission now has six days to consider the application, instead of the usual 28 days.
Deputy District Master Nigel Dawson presented the completed form with 40 Orangemen looking on and district master Darryl Hewitt handed out a media statement explaining why they had delayed notification of next week's parade.
It was made clear that the Portadown district is seeking permission from the Parades Commission for the "traditional" outward route to and from Drumcree, with the parade starting in the town centre.
They still apply for the outward route via Obins Street – banned in the mid-1980s – and the homeward route through the Garvaghy Road, banned in 1998.
Initially, a Sinn Féin MLA, John O'Dowd accused the Orange Order of "deliberately raising tensions" after they failed to file for the outward part of the Drumcree parade, indicating that they would instead organise an illegal march.
Commenting earlier this month, - and before the necessary form was handed in - the Upper Bann representative said: "Instead of trying to build relationships and ease tensions in a very deliberate move the Orange Order have decided to try and reignite the Drumcree dispute."
See: Drumcree Parade May Be Ruled Illegal
(BMcC/GK)
The official form was handed over – three weeks past the deadline - to a police officer to the backdrop of Drumcree Parish Church where the Portadown Orange district has staged a protest every Sunday since 1998, when their return parade via the Garvaghy Road was banned.
The move comes after a meeting on Wednesday night of the town's 28 lodges when they agreed to hold back seeking permission as late as possible. The parades commission now has six days to consider the application, instead of the usual 28 days.
Deputy District Master Nigel Dawson presented the completed form with 40 Orangemen looking on and district master Darryl Hewitt handed out a media statement explaining why they had delayed notification of next week's parade.
It was made clear that the Portadown district is seeking permission from the Parades Commission for the "traditional" outward route to and from Drumcree, with the parade starting in the town centre.
They still apply for the outward route via Obins Street – banned in the mid-1980s – and the homeward route through the Garvaghy Road, banned in 1998.
Initially, a Sinn Féin MLA, John O'Dowd accused the Orange Order of "deliberately raising tensions" after they failed to file for the outward part of the Drumcree parade, indicating that they would instead organise an illegal march.
Commenting earlier this month, - and before the necessary form was handed in - the Upper Bann representative said: "Instead of trying to build relationships and ease tensions in a very deliberate move the Orange Order have decided to try and reignite the Drumcree dispute."
See: Drumcree Parade May Be Ruled Illegal
(BMcC/GK)
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13 February 2012
Report Confirms School Closures
A new report has revealed that a number of schools within the Catholic maintained sector are to close. According to a report by The Commission on Catholic Education schools including St Gemma’s in Belfast, St Peter’s in Londonderry, St Mary’s in Belleek, Drumcree College, Portadown and St Eugene’s in Castlederg are set to close.
Report Confirms School Closures
A new report has revealed that a number of schools within the Catholic maintained sector are to close. According to a report by The Commission on Catholic Education schools including St Gemma’s in Belfast, St Peter’s in Londonderry, St Mary’s in Belleek, Drumcree College, Portadown and St Eugene’s in Castlederg are set to close.
02 July 2002
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.
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.
05 July 2004
Drumcree parade passes off peacefully
The army have begun dismantling security equipment after this year's controversial Drumcree parade passed off peacefully. Hundreds of Orangemen took part in Sunday's short march which was banned from passing down the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown by the Northern Ireland Parades Commission.
Drumcree parade passes off peacefully
The army have begun dismantling security equipment after this year's controversial Drumcree parade passed off peacefully. Hundreds of Orangemen took part in Sunday's short march which was banned from passing down the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown by the Northern Ireland Parades Commission.
18 June 2010
Drumcree Parade May Be Ruled Illegal
A loyal order parade that was at the heart of deadly NI-wide disturbances for years is threatening to burst back onto the front pages. Co Armagh-based Orangemen are threatening to walk to Drumcree church in Portadown this year for the annual Somme Commemoration service without official permission.
Drumcree Parade May Be Ruled Illegal
A loyal order parade that was at the heart of deadly NI-wide disturbances for years is threatening to burst back onto the front pages. Co Armagh-based Orangemen are threatening to walk to Drumcree church in Portadown this year for the annual Somme Commemoration service without official permission.
06 December 2001
Drumcree mediator quits post
The South African chief mediator of the Drumcree dispute Brian Currin has resigned from his post. The lawyer, who is currently in his home country, was attempting to broker an agreement between the Portadown Orange Order and the Garvaghy Road Residents Committee on the annual parade in County Armagh.
Drumcree mediator quits post
The South African chief mediator of the Drumcree dispute Brian Currin has resigned from his post. The lawyer, who is currently in his home country, was attempting to broker an agreement between the Portadown Orange Order and the Garvaghy Road Residents Committee on the annual parade in County Armagh.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with outbreaks of mainly light rain at times, although there may be the odd heavier burst. Driest in the south and east during the afternoon. Moderate southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying cloudy throughout the evening and overnight period with a little rain or drizzle at times. Mild overnight with light winds. Minimum temperature 7 °C.