NI justice minister appeals to Orange Order to 'do the right thing' and change Drumcree route
Northern Ireland's Justice Minister Naomi Long has urged the Orange Order to change the route of a controversial parade in Drumcree to avoid further conflict. Despite legal clearance for the march, tensions remain high between the Orange Order and local nationalist residents.
Why it matters
The dispute represents a long-standing sectarian tension in Northern Ireland that threatens public safety and community relations.
POLICE IN NORTHERN Ireland are “continuing to seek safe and peaceful compliance” with the Parades Commission over the Drumcree stand-off.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has urged political parties not to further inflame the situation.
His comments come amid the ongoing dispute about the controversial Drumcree parade, which was last week green lit by the Parades Commission for the first time since 1998, but has been stalled ever since following a protest by the Garvaghy Road residents.
The coalition of residents in the largely nationalist area is opposed to the parade due to the conflict associated with it in the 1990s . A number of people were killed during the tensions, with many nationalists putting the total figure at 21.
Talks to break the deadlock were launched earlier this week, but ended without agreement again on Thursday night.
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