A pro-Palestine march has been barred from entering Scarva in the face of heightened opposition and fear of disorder.
Restrictions have been placed on the procession, organisers of which had applied for permission to pass through Scarva en route from Lurgan to Newry.
The Parades Commission confirmed its rulings today (Friday) after considering three separate applications.
It directed that the pro-Palestine march could proceed but only by adhering to its outlined and agreed route along the towpath with “no participant in the parade” being permitted to deviate from that path or enter the village of Scarva when passing.
No persons are permitted to join the parade at Scarva and while passing the village along the towpath, no emblems or flags “of any type” should be displayed and no “chanting or singing” should take place.
A sponsored walk by Markethill Volunteers has also been approved but again with restrictions and the starting time has been ordered to be put back until 2.30pm.
“There shall be no undue stoppages or delays,” according to the Parades Commission, which also ordered: “The parade organiser shall ensure that the parade begins and disperses promptly.”
A protest by Scarva Concerned Residents has been approved with conditions too.
Commissioners directed: “All participants of this parade-related protest must behave with due regard for the rights, traditions and feelings of others in the vicinity; refrain from using words or behaviour which could reasonably be perceived as intentionally sectarian, provocative, threatening, abusive, insulting or lewd; obey the lawful directions o f protest organisers and stewards at all times, from assembly to dispersal; abide by the conditions of the Code of Conduct; and comply with police directions and in accordance with legislation.
“The Commission re-affirms that alcohol should not be consumed immediately prior to, or during a parade-related protest meeting. An organiser or steward, who believes a participant to be under the influence of alcohol, should take the necessary measures to remove that person from the protest.”
Unionist politicians had lobbied the Parades Commission after an application was made by the Lurgan Branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
It sought to hold its ‘Great March for Gaza & International Justice 2026’ on Saturday, June 6, leaving Lurgan early in the morning.
As part of the notified route, the organisers had intended to walk along the Canal Towpath, which would have taken the 1,500 estimated participants through Scarva.
Shortly after the parade appeared on the Parades Commission NI website, Scarva Concerned Residents made an application to be permitted to stage a counter-protest in the village.
They had estimated around 100 people taking part in the protest, which would coincide with the Lurgan march passing through.
A third submission was later made to the Commission by a local band.
Markethill Volunteer Flute Band indicated that it wished to stage a sponsored walk on the Canal Towpath, proceeding from Scarva in the direction of Portadown.
It estimated around 500 people taking part on the same day.
All three applications had been described as “sensitive” by the Parades Commission, which had listed them for consideration on Wednesday, May 27.
Among those making representations to the Parades Commission on Wednesday were Upper Bann DUP MLAs Diane Dodds and Jonathan Buckley and South Down MLA Diane Forsythe, alongside local DUP councillors. Ms Lockhart had also previously met the Commission earlier this month.
The DUP representatives said local people were deeply frustrated following the “disorder, disruption and tensions associated with last year’s event” and warned against “allowing another highly contentious parade to proceed through predominantly unionist communities”.
In a joint statement, the DUP MLAs and MP said: “We made it absolutely clear to the Parades Commission that residents do not want to see a repeat of the serious tensions and disorder witnessed last year.
“Large numbers of people descended upon Scarva and surrounding areas creating significant disruption and public disorder. Residents saw first-hand the impact that had upon local communities, businesses and families.
“This gathering has no genuine local connection to Scarva whatsoever. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that this route has been deliberately chosen to provoke tensions within a quiet rural community which neither supports nor welcomes it.
“People understand and respect the role of lawful and established cultural events within community life. However, there is understandable anger when an overtly political demonstration is brought into an area despite clear local opposition and after the scenes witnessed previously.
“There is widespread concern that the same tensions and disruption could again arise if this parade is permitted to proceed.
“Residents are entitled to go about their daily lives without unnecessary disruption from what is widely viewed as a deliberately provocative parade which serves no legitimate purpose within the area.
“We strongly impressed upon the Commission that the protection of community relations and public order must come before facilitating a deeply divisive demonstration.
“The Commission cannot ignore the lessons from last year. We urged them to listen to the strength of local opposition and impose restrictions which prevent further avoidable tension and disorder within these communities. We urge those who share our concerns to make submissions to the Parades Commission.”
The organisers of the ‘Great March for Gaza & International Justice 2026’ had described their planned procession as “a peaceful, community-led and humanitarian mobilisation calling for civilian protection, humanitarian relief, respect for international law and the right to peaceful public assembly”.
And they added: “It has not, is not and never will be a republican march.”
But local representatives pointed to the event in 2025 and warned that, if allowed to go ahead, any disorder or disruption which might follow lay firmly at the Parades Commission door.
“Scarva is not an appropriate or proportionate route for this parade, and the potential consequences for community relations and public safety are too serious to be ignored or minimised,” Ulster Unionist Alderman Glenn Barr had warned.
And Andrew Greenaway, secretary of the TUV in Upper Bann, had written to the Parades Commission to voice concerns.
“Before the 2025 march and since, the local Unionist communities have been very clear that such a march was not and is not welcome, the events of last year proved exactly why this is the case,” he wrote.
“Given the level of tension generated by this parade, and the opposition of the residents of Scarva – together with residents of the surrounding Unionist areas – who do not wish to see a republican mob descending upon the village and causing the disorder and disruption witnessed last year, it is clear that to permit this parade to proceed will only exacerbate community fears and carries the real risk of disturbances that are entirely avoidable.
“The Commission will be aware that similar concerns were expressed by TUV representatives ahead of last year’s parade warning of disorder if the parade was permitted to proceed. These warnings were ignored and the inevitable disorder followed.
“The Commission must accept its share of responsibility for that disorder, having permitted a contentious and provocative parade to proceed through areas in which it was not wanted and had no support.
“Should the very real fears of local residents and the warnings of local representatives again be ignored this year, we are deeply concerned that disorder and disruption will once again be visited upon Scarva and the surrounding areas.”
Alderman Glenn Barr said: “I am deeply disappointed that the Parades Commission has decided to allow this republican parade to proceed through Scarva, despite sustained and serious concerns raised on behalf of the local community.
“Residents have engaged fully and responsibly throughout this process, making clear representations both in writing and in face-to-face meetings regarding public safety, community relations, and the impact on a small rural village.
“Those concerns have not been properly reflected in the decision taken.
“This outcome will be widely viewed locally as a failure to give proper weight to community concerns and raises serious questions about confidence in the current process.
“We are now calling on the Secretary of State to urgently intervene and review the decision-making framework in situations where local communities feel their legitimate concerns are consistently being overlooked.
“Scarva residents deserve better protection, better balance, and a process that genuinely reflects the realities on the ground.”
The Scarva Concerned Residents Group has expressed their deep disappointment following the decision.
Residents say they feel ignored after repeatedly raising concerns around community relations, public safety and the potential for unnecessary tension within a small rural village.
A spokesperson for the group said: “We are bitterly disappointed by this decision. Local residents engaged responsibly and through every lawful process available to make clear that Scarva was not an appropriate route for this parade.
“We believe the genuine concerns of this community have been disregarded, despite repeated warnings about the potential impact on local stability and community relations.”
The group has also called on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to intervene given the strength of local feeling surrounding the issue.
Residents thanked Alderman Glenn Barr, Carla Lockhart MP, Diane Dodds MLA, Jonny Buckley MLA, Jon Burrows MLA, Jim Allister MP and Doug Beattie MC MLA for their support and engagement throughout the process.
Despite their disappointment, the group urged residents to remain calm and continue to act peacefully and lawfully.
