Police negotiators are trying to end a stand-off in Portadown as protesters block the route of a controversial Orange Order march. The Orangemen have yet to leave Drumcree Church after crowds gathered to prevent them from marching through the Catholic enclave in the Protestant town in Northern Ireland.
Parades Commission ruling sparks outrage
The Drumcree march had been banned for nearly 30 years over fears of sectarian violence. However, the Parades Commission ruled the parade could go ahead today with no music and no more than 35 people.
That decision has sparked outrage among nationalists and republicans, with Sinn Féin leaders joining thousands in a counter-rally this morning. The deadlock has stopped the Orangemen from leaving Drumcree Church and marching through the town.
Political tensions rise
Police negotiators have attempted to speak to protesters to encourage them to leave, but the demonstrators are refusing to budge. The dispute has fuelled a fierce political confrontation between Unionist and Nationalist parties.
First Secretary Michelle O’Neill and Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald joined protesters at Garvaghy Road, calling the march’s green light a ‘disgrace’ given its history. DUP politicians are supporting Orangemen at Drumcree Church and have accused Sinn Féin of ‘inflaming opposition’ by protesting against ‘lawful decisions’.
Calls for calm
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant is returning to Northern Ireland and called on people to abide by the law. He added: ‘I wish we weren’t in this position. I wish we weren’t looking at relitigating things.
‘There are lots of people who are watching this very, very closely including people who have long memories of things that happened 30 years ago and will be very nervous.
‘The number one thing is that people should cooperate with the police. I want everything to pass off as calmly as is possible.’
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he had spoken to the Irish Prime Minister and urged calm on both sides. He told the BBC this morning: ‘I know it’s a tense situation and we appeal for calm on all sides.
‘There have been big gains made in Northern Ireland and we don’t want to see things go backwards.’
The Irish government has said in a statement it is ‘very concerned about the situation’. ‘Our primary concern remains to avoid a return to the divisions of the past, recalling the significant progress made over many years in furthering reconciliation under the Good Friday Agreement.’
