The policing operation around the Drumcree parading dispute has topped £3 million so far, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has said.
Mr Boutcher faced questions about the policing operation at the Northern Ireland Policing Board on day five of the impasse.
A major policing operation was put into place at the weekend when a court challenge to a determination by the Parades Commission to allow the Drumcree parade to proceed along the Garvaghy Road failed.
Situation in Portadown
While the visible policing presence has since reduced, Mr Boutcher described the situation in Portadown as “remaining challenging and complex”, but said despite very significant tensions, there has been no violence and nobody has been injured.
He said the cost of the policing operation has been £3 million thus far, but warned of the consequences and cost “if they get it wrong”.
He contended the consequences of police forcing an Orange Order march down the Garvaghy Road “could be catastrophic” for Northern Ireland.
Police Response and Investigations
“The parade could not safely be facilitated on Sunday September 27, because of an unnotified protest that blocked the route. Officers repeatedly engaged with those involved and issued warnings,” he said.
“We considered a range of options, but assessed that the use of force required to clear the road risked serious harm and an escalation into disorder. That would not have been proportionate.”
Meanwhile, Mr Boutcher also made it clear there will be “consequences” for those who blocked the Garvaghy Road on Sunday.
He added that investigations into law breaking are “well under way” and will be “expedited”.
Talks and Legal Challenges
Talks involving the Orange Order and Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition are set to resume later, with Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant returning to the region in hopes of a resolution.
Sir Chris had been involved in talks since Monday and proposed a document for discussion in a bid to break the impasse.
He left the region for an engagement in England but is expected to return to Co Down later on Thursday to continue the process on the fifth day of the dispute.
On Wednesday, after hours of talks around Sir Chris’s proposed paper, Breandan Mac Cionnaith from the residents group said they would back it if the Orange Order did.
However, DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart told the Press Association in Portadown on Wednesday night that the proposed deal was “not acceptable”.
The Portadown District of the Orange Order wants to complete its traditional route for the first time in almost 30 years after the Parades Commission ruled that the parade should be allowed along the Garvaghy Road.
The residents coalition is opposing the parade and a fresh legal challenge by the group is due to be heard in the courts on Friday.
Policing Board Code of Conduct
The Policing Board also heard earlier of an investigation into whether Sinn Féin board member Deirdre Hargey has breached the board’s code of conduct by allegedly taking part in a protest on the Garvaghy Road.
Board chairman Brendan Mullan said following complaints he has instigated proceedings to investigate the matter.
“Specifically, I have asked the vice chair to investigate, and the outcome of that investigation will be reported in due course,” he said.
However, he permitted Ms Hargey to remain in the meeting.
DUP board member Trevor Clarke requested at the start of the meeting that Ms Hargey be excluded because she had been at an “unlawful assembly” on the Garvaghy Road, and that there is a “clear conflict of interest” in her remaining while the Drumcree dispute is discussed.
Mr Mullan said it was his view that all political representatives have an interest in the matters unfolding on Garvaghy Road, but that their “interest is not in conflict with their role as a board member”.
He contended Ms Hargey would be conflicted if she raised questions in relation to prosecutions arising from the protest, but given it is an ongoing police operation, no member should raise questions regarding specific prosecutions, adding: “therefore no conflict arises”.
