Parades Commission rules against Orange Order Drumcree march in 25th year

The Parades Commission has ruled against a contentious Orange Order march at Drumcree in its 25th year.

Orangemen have been banned from taking the route along the predominantly nationalist Garvaghy Road since 1998.

They had applied 'to complete our 1998 parade from Drumcree Church to Carleton Street' on Sunday.

The Parades Commission has placed restrictions which prohibit the parade from entering the part of the notified route which includes 'the entire length of the Garvaghy Road'.

The parading dispute in Portadown led to scenes of violence in previous decades.

While tensions have dissipated, Orangemen in Portadown have continued to campaign to be allowed to walk the road.

DUP MP Carla Lockhart, who met with the commission on Wednesday, has accused it of "turning a deaf ear to Orange concerns".

She said: "I raised the ongoing frustration amongst the wider community in Portadown at the lack of any intent by the Commission and residents to find any form of accommodation or compromise.

"It is deeply damaging to community relations and trust building at a community level.

"What is becoming increasingly clear is that the Parades Commission has no desire to ever see a resolution to this issue that will see any Orange parade proceed along Garvaghy Road."

A spokesperson for the Parades Commission said: “In reaching its determination the Commission has heard representations from a range of interested parties and has engaged in a number of outreach events with the parties proposing and opposing the parade.

“At this time, however, the Commission does not consider meaningful mediation is possible for the reasons outlined in its determination.

"The Commission has no statutory powers to force parties into mediation.

“The Commission has concluded that restricting the route of this parade remains necessary, fair and proportionate, a decision which reflects potential impacts on community relations.

"The Commission continues to encourage all parties to this parading dispute to enter into dialogue to achieve an accommodation that reflects the needs of local communities.”

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