The lead spokesman for the Garvaghy Road residents opposed to an Orange Order march has said their position has not changed ahead of talks.
Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant is expected to arrive back in the region on Thursday to host talks at Hillsborough Castle on day five of the Drumcree dispute.
Representatives of the Orange Order and of the Garvaghy Road residents are set to attend.
Background to the dispute
The Portadown District of the unionist Orange Order wants to complete its traditional route for the first time in almost 30 years after the Parades Commission ruled they should be allowed along the Garvaghy Road, but the coalition of local residents in the largely nationalist area, is opposed to the march going ahead.
An appeal lodged by the residents will be heard at the Court of Appeal in Belfast on Friday morning.
Crowds continued to gather on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown, Co Armagh, on Thursday, including former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams. There were also performances by bands, including folk music group the Mary Wallopers.
Residents' spokesman speaks
Just before 5pm on Thursday, Breandan Mac Cionnaith, of the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition, told those gathered that he was setting off for talks.
“I don't know what the play is, we'll be leaving here in about 10 minutes so just to bring you up to speed,” he said.
“We only got notified about this a short while ago. I don't know what time we'll get back from there yet tonight, it might be possible for us to brief you at that time, but it could be 10pm, it could be 12 o'clock.
“No matter what you hear, our position remains the same. There is no change in our position so hopefully we'll get tonight over and there isn't far to go.”
Policing costs and chief constable's warning
Earlier on Thursday, the Northern Ireland Policing Board heard the PSNI operation around the parading dispute has topped £3 million so far. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher faced questions at the Northern Ireland Policing Board on day five of the impasse.
A major policing operation was put in place at the weekend when a court challenge to the determination by the Parades Commission to allow the Drumcree parade to proceed along the Garvaghy Road failed.
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, but warned of the consequences and further costs “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.
“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.”
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”.
The chief constable said he does not currently believe it is necessary to ask the Secretary of State to review the Parades Commission determination over Drumcree.
Mr Boutcher was asked at the Policing Board why an intervention by Sir Chris had not been sought.
“The board simply needs to be reassured that I am constantly reviewing that position,” he said.
“But at this stage, it is my judgment that that is not necessary.
“We are creating the time to resolve this, and that is in the interests of everyone.”
Political reactions
Sir Chris had been involved in talks since Monday and proposed a document for discussion in a bid to break the impasse. On Wednesday, after hours of talks around Sir Chris's proposed paper, Mr Mac Cionnaith 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”.
Speaking in Dublin on Thursday, Sinn Féin president Mary-Lou McDonald said it is “critical” that there is no Orange Order march on the Garvaghy Road.
“I think all of you have witnessed the level of disruption, distress that has occurred, even at the prospect of that,” she said.
“The community itself has been absolutely crystal clear. They wish to live in peace. They will not tolerate sectarian harassment or bullying, or intimidation.”
Ms McDonald slammed who she termed as “disruptive wreckers to try and set that clock back”.
She said those residents opposed include a 93-year-old woman who she said came to live on the Garvaghy Road after Catholic and nationalist families were burnt out of other areas.
She added that she wished the talks “fair speed and fair wind”, but said a conclusion “needs to be brought”.
“And the answer to this is to make absolutely clear that there will be no Orange march on the Garvaghy Road,” she said.
“If the talks can arrive at that, that's great but remember, if not, the British Secretary of State has the power under the 1998 Parades and Processions Act to simply put a stop to this march, and that's what he should do.
“As a matter of fact, we put it to the Secretary of State that that's what he should have done at the very, very outset.
“So, if there is any game of brinkmanship going on here, if anybody thinks that they're simply going to wear this community down, and they will relent, they could not be more wrong because this is fundamental to our society.”
Policing Board code of conduct issue
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.
However, board chairman Brendan Mullan 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”.
