PSNI says forcing Orange march down Garvaghy Road could be ‘catastrophic’
Talks between the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition and the Orange Order regarding a controversial parade in Portadown have ended without an agreement. Northern Ireland secretary Chris Bryant expressed disappointment, noting that the matter will now proceed to a Belfast High Court appeal.
Why it matters
The Drumcree parade dispute is a long-standing flashpoint in Northern Ireland's sectarian tensions, and the failure to reach a mediated settlement increases the risk of public disorder.
Talks aimed at resolving the Drumcree parade dispute broke up without agreement late on Thursday night.
Breandán Mac Cionnaith, of the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition, told reporters that Northern Ireland secretary of state Chris Bryan wants residents and the Orange Order to reach agreement but contended that “the reality is” there is “no such thing as half a march”.
He said: “There’s a march, or there’s not a march – simply that.”
Mac Cionnaith said it was “not possible” to get a “meeting of minds” in the talks.
Asked if the talks had run their course, he said: “For the time being, yes.”
Mac Cionnaith added: “They may want to re-embark upon another process at some stage, but the current process is done.”
Bryant described the talks as being between a “rock and a hard place” as they ended without agreement.
“This is the end of these conversations,” he said.
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