05/07/2001

PARADES COMMISSION REJECT LATEST DRUMCREE PROPOSALS

THE Northern Ireland Parades Commission has rejected the latest proposals put forward by the Orange Order with regard to Sunday’s Drumcree parade in Portadown.

In an attempt to resolve the dispute the Order put forward proposals on Thursday morning during discussions held between the commission, Assembly Ministers Sir Reg Empey and Michael McGimpsey, and senior Orangeman David McNarry.

The move follows the original decision by the Commission which banned Sunday’s parade along the nationalist Garvaghy Road.

However, there was a glimmer of hope amongst the Order when a meeting between unionist councillors from Craigavon Borough Council on Tuesday, which included leading Portadown Orangeman David Jones, led to the Commission agreeing to review its initial decision.

The Commission then announced a further delay of the formal review pending the outcome of a meeting called to hear submissions from Ulster Unionists Sir Reg Empey and Mr McGimpsey.

It is believed that the proposals suggested that the Orange Order would enter into discussions in a civic forum this Saturday, which would include Garvaghy Road residents. However, this would only happen if the commission decided to permit the parade to take place along the Garvaghy Road.

The Commission’s ruling now means the Orange Order is again banned from marching along what they consider to be their “traditional route” for the fourth consecutive year.

(MB)

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