DRUMCREE DECISION IS PUT ON HOLD

THE Northern Ireland Parades Commission have put the decision whether or not to overturn the ban on this Sunday’s Drumcree Orange march on hold.

The announcement came late on Wednesday afternoon as a spokesman for the Commission said the outcome of the review would not be revealed until a further submission was received: “The commission has agreed to receive a further representation on Drumcree which cannot take place before Thursday morning. So there will be no review decision taken today.”

The commission have three choices available to them: to uphold the original determination, to amend it or to issue a fresh outcome.

The Parades commission announced on Monday July 2 that the Portadown Orange men would be banned for a fourth year running from marching down the Nationalist Garvaghy Road.

The commission said on Monday their decision was “set against a background of continuing local community tension and recognises the real possibility of further damage to community relations and of public disorder should the parade be allowed on its full route.”

However, on Tuesday a delegation of councillors from Craigavon borough council, including leading Portadown Orangeman David Jones, met with the Parades Commission in Belfast to discuss the ruling. The meeting took place despite the Orange Order’s policy that it does not talk to the parades commission. Mr Jones, who was elected for the first time as an independent councillor at the local elections last month, said that he was going to the meeting as a local councillor – not as an Orangeman. He said: “Whether we like it or not, the Parades Commission does exist. We have to recognise it because we can’t get off Drumcree Hill.”

Nationalists staged a silent protest outside the meeting in Belfast and SDLP Upper Bann assembly member Bríd Rodgers raised concerns with the Parades Commission inside. Afterwards she said: “Under no circumstances should they consider revoking the decision which they have made in relation to the Drumcree Parade.”

(AMcE)