DRUMCREE MARCH BANNED BY PARADES COMMISSION

THE Drumcree parade by Portadown Orangemen was again banned from marching down the nationalist Garvaghy Road in the County Armagh town at the weekend.

The decision made on Monday evening was made by the Northern Ireland Parades Commission who makes decisions whether restrictions are placed on contentious parades.

Due to violent clashes between police and loyalists the loyal order has been barred from entering the area since 1998.

The commission said 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.”

The Orange Order says it is bitterly disappointed at Monday's ruling by the Parades Commission that Portadown Orangemen will once again be banned from walking down the Garvaghy Road.

Commenting on the Commission's ruling, George Patton, Executive Officer for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, said: “Yet again our members are being denied the fundamental human right to use a public highway. Today's ruling is bitterly disappointing but not really surprising. Judging by events over the last few years the authorities seem determined on a policy of cultural genocide against the Loyalist community of Northern Ireland in order to appease militant republicans".

The Grand Lodge says it will be carefully considering its options following the ruling and urged all Orangemen and the wider Unionist community to remain calm and react responsibly. Mr Patton added: “In spite of the injustice of the situation and the determination to try and eradicate our Ulster Scots traditions, the Orange Order totally rejects violence from whatever quarter and does not want, nor seek, the support of those who are prepared to use it”.

Breandan MacCionnaith of the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition said that he welcomed the decision and that he believed it was the only possible outcome.

Meanwhile, the Portadown’s press officer David Jones, has been chosen by Craigavon Borough Council to be part of a delegation to meet the Parades Commission hoping to get the decision overturned. The Protestant Order says it should have the right to march down Garvaghy Road for their annual Church service, which commemorates soldiers at the 1916 battle of the Somme. Nationalist residents however, fiercely oppose the march.

Last year loyalist violence erupted, not only at Drumcree but across Northern Ireland, particularly in Portadown and Belfast as a show of support for the Orangemen and their attempt to go down Garvaghy Road.

(AMcE)