Police in Northern Ireland are set to start issuing letters to those suspected of having committed a criminal offence in the ongoing parading dispute in Portadown.
It relates to alleged breaches of a Parades Commission decision to allow an Orange Order parade to complete its traditional route from Drumcree Church down the Garvaghy Road for the first time in almost 30 years.
The parade has been unable to take place because of significant numbers opposed to the decision attending protests on the Garvaghy Road.
Chief Constable's warning
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher previously made it clear there would be “consequences” for those found to have broken the law.
Unionists have criticised First Minister Michelle O’Neill and other Sinn Féin ministers for having been in the area of the Garvaghy Road during the now 12-day stand-off.
They have proposed no confidence motions in Ms O’Neill, as well as Finance Minister John O’Dowd, Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald and Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins in the Assembly.
First Minister's response
Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, Ms O’Neill told MLAs that “when the law is wrong, I will stand firmly against it”.
“It is morally wrong what’s happening to the people on the Garvaghy Road,” she said.
On Thursday, a Sinn Féin spokesperson said: “We are aware of the PSNI’s latest statement.
“As this is an ongoing investigation, we will not be making any further comment at this time.”
Next phase of investigation
Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck described police as moving to the next phase of the large-scale criminal investigation.
He said letters would be issued to those suspected of committing offences.
“This team have been methodically working through the evidence collected by police so far during the operation, building this material into evidential packages in respect of identified persons reasonably suspected of committing offences,” he said.
“This work will now proceed to the next phase where individuals will receive letters regarding the interview process.”
He said he was satisfied that this step would not have an impact on the ongoing civil legal action.
Earlier, the Court of Appeal in Belfast heard a legal challenge to the Parades Commission decision to allow the Orange Order to march along the Garvaghy Road.
Judgment has not yet been given in that case.
On Monday, Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan said she hoped the court would deliver judgment in a “swift enough time frame”.
Political reaction
DUP leader Gavin Robinson welcomed the announcement by police.
Speaking to media in Belfast, he responded saying: “Quite right.
“They launched a large-scale criminal investigation last week. They have started their preparations, and now they are acting upon it, and that is necessary because the public of Northern Ireland need to see that the rule of law stands for something.”
Mr Robinson said: “It’s the first step or sign that we’ve seen that there’s a willingness to deal with lawbreakers in our society.
“There are many examples over many years where the police have not been as slow to act, but they have acted.
“I welcomed their major criminal investigation last week. I expected it to start earlier this week… and we need to see the full conclusion to that process.”
Mr Robinson also criticised a statement by representatives from former parading flashpoints that the current impasse was now bigger than the Garvaghy Road and could potentially unravel other settlements.
“Society relies on the law being upheld, and what you saw yesterday was a range of organisations join into the Portadown issue in a threatening way,” he said.
“It’s totally unacceptable, and the chief constable, the Secretary of State, nor anyone else can bow the knee in the face of threats or pressure.
“So we need to see the rule of law upheld, the rule of law run in this country, and see no bowing the knee to threats, threats of violence, intimidation, disorder, or worse.”
