Drumcree: Residents lose challenge to Parades Commission decision, as PSNI stands over operation
A Northern Ireland High Court rejected a challenge by residents against a Parades Commission decision allowing an Orange Order parade on Garvaghy Road. Despite the court ruling, the parade was ultimately banned by the Secretary of State for safety reasons.
Why it matters
This reflects the ongoing, complex sectarian tensions and policing challenges surrounding traditional parades in Northern Ireland.
RESIDENTS OPPOSED TO the contentious Orange Order parade route in Portadown have lost their latest bid to challenge the decision to allow it.
This does not change the fact that the parade was on Friday banned by Northern Ireland Secretary of State Chris Bryant.
Residents of the predominantly nationalist Garvaghy Road in the Co Armagh town had applied for a judicial review of the decision by the Parades Commission to allow the parade along the road for the first time in almost 30 years.
The commission made the ruling two weeks ago with a number of significant conditions, including limiting numbers and starting earlier.
An application by the residents for a judicial review of the commission’s decision was rejected by the High Court.
On Monday, Chief Justice Siobhan Keegan upheld that decision, holding that the challenge did not have a reasonable chance of success.
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in