A proposed Orange Order parade down the Garvaghy Road on Sunday – just before the All-Ireland final involving Armagh – has been blocked by the Parades Commission.
Portadown District LOL No 1 notified the Commission of their intention to complete their 1998 parade from Drumcree Church.
The district, which has been prevented from walking along the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road ever since, has said it remains committed to bringing an end to its dispute.
They notified the Commission of its bid to complete the route, which would take in Drumcree Road; Garvaghy Road; Parkmount; Victoria Terrace; Castle Street; Bridge Street; High Street; Market Street; Church Street; and Carleton Street.
The parade is scheduled to assemble at 2.45pm and commence its journey at 3pm from Drumcree Church and process to Carleton Street Orange Hall, dispersing at 3.30pm.
However, the Commission issued its determination this afternoon (Thursday), stating that parade is “prohibited from entering that part of the notified route between Drumcree Parish Church on Drumcree Road, and Castle Street”.
It noted: “The parade is prohibited from entering that part of the notified route which includes the entire length of Garvaghy Road, including Parkmount and Victoria Terrace.”
It coming to its decision the Commission said it “spent significant time considering this parade”
“As part of its consideration of the merits of this particular notification, the Commission has also taken account of the relevant context, including the history of parading in the area.
“This consideration has involved receiving detailed representations, primarily in face-to-face meetings but also in writing, from stakeholders, examining all relevant issues and undertaking deliberations.”
Representations were received from the office bearers of Portadown LOL No. 1. They reasserted their commitment to bringing home the banner which remains in Drumcree Parish Church and completing “the 1998 route”.
They believe that the long-standing determination that prevents them from doing so “is an unjustified infringement of their rights”.
“The office bearers accept that whilst historically they initially refused to participate in dialogue with the residents, they have for many years now expressed a willingness to engage in an effort to reach an accommodation.
“They stated that areas for compromise could include factors such as the size, time and form of the parade to bring home the banner, but not the route.
“It is their present view that they and others on their behalf have made repeated efforts to initiate direct or indirect dialogue with residents which have either been rejected or met with silence. Despite this they reasserted that their willingness to meet with residents still stands.
“They expressed a frustration with the Commission’s current position, believing that they are continually being punished by the parade not being allowed to be concluded. This creates an impasse whereby residents have what they want and therefore do not need to engage. For them, this allows the problem to continue without resolution, a problem which they are adamant continues to exist.
In relation to this specific parade, they state that a parade at 3pm on Sunday 28th July 2024 will “bring the least impact on the majority of the community that live there as most will either be away to Croke Park, or will be in clubs, pubs or at home watching and supporting their County, Armagh GAA playing in the final of the All-Ireland.”
They state that, as a District, they believe that this is an opportunity to complete the 1998 parade without major disruption.
They express the hope that all parties can see where they are coming from in submitting the notification and allow the parade in a spirit that allows everyone to feel they have not lost.
They concluded by saying that they stand “ready and willing to bring this dispute to a satisfactory end for all so that our town can move on and prosper.”
Representations were received from the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition.
They described the impact the past has had on their community and the trauma that remains. They outlined the work that has been undertaken by the community to develop the area both economically and socially and to move the community forward.
They reiterated their position that any initiative to facilitate an Orange Order march on the Garvaghy Road would bring to the fore issues, anxieties, and fears which the residents consider should remain in the past and which could have wider ramifications.
The residents considered that previous attempts at dialogue had been ‘disingenuous and futile’ because the District had come to them without a willingness to compromise on the return route, the route being the main area of contention.
They did not see any reason to engage in any further talks as the community had moved on. They reasserted their view that they simply do not accept the ongoing argument from the Orange Order that the 1998 parade requires completion along the notified route.
The residents stress that nationalists in Portadown have declared their continued willingness to accept an alternative, less contentious, route along Corcrain/Dungannon Road.
In relation to this specific parade, the Coalition states that the vast majority of people in their community initially thought that the notification was a hoax. The reaction across the community to learning that it was not a hoax was a mixture of anger and dismay. They consider that, at a time when their community is celebrating the achievements of the Armagh county GAA team, the application is aimed at causing alarm, fear and at heightening tensions.
They point out that, due to limited ticket availability, very few people from the area will be able to attend the All-Ireland final in person.
Referring to the likely need for a major policing operation in response to the parade, they state that this would lead to many hours of disruption to the lives of local residents and have a negative effect on a number of events planned in the area to coincide with the timing of the final.
In coming to a decision, the Commission stated: “Having considered all the evidence, information and advice available to it, the Commission has determined that conditions should be placed on the parade.
“In imposing these conditions, the Commission pursues the legitimate aims laid down in the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of seeking to prevent disorder and to protect the rights and freedoms of others. The conditions are not such as to affect significantly the individual’s right to assemble.
“Having regard to the factors set out above the Commission considers that the conditions it now imposes are necessary and proportionate to the aim pursued and strike a fair balance between the needs of the community and the rights of the individual.
“The legal, factual and human rights issues are of considerable complexity and require, ultimately, the formation of a carefully considered and finely balanced judgement on the part of the Commission.”
