Portadown District LOL No 1 has launched a blistering attack on the PSNI, accusing the force of an “abject failure” to uphold a lawful parade determination and demanding that its Drumcree procession down the Garvaghy Road now be allowed to proceed.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday morning, the District said it “shares the anger of the wider unionist community” after police blocked a small group of Orangemen from attempting to walk the route in the early hours, despite a Parades Commission ruling in their favour.
“The Portadown District shares the anger of the wider unionist community in respect of the PSNI’s abject failure to police and give effect [to] the lawful determination in our favour,” the statement said.
“There are no words which could express the depth of anger felt by members of this District and the community from which we come.”
The District accused Chief Constable Jon Boutcher of treating unionists “with distain” and of “flatly refusing to uphold our rights”, insisting the issue was “at its core a conflict between the lawful and the unlawful”.
“The resolution was and is to simply police the lawful determination,” the statement continued.
“They said they would police any determination, but then actively failed to do so when Sinn Féin and nationalists objected. This shows you the community with whom the PSNI’s true priorities lie.
“Both this District and our community have remained lawful and peaceful, as we promised we would. The PSNI have failed us, and rewarded illegality.”
On Sunday, hundreds of residents and supporters blocked the Garvaghy Road, preventing the 35‑strong Drumcree parade – authorised as a silent march with no bands and strict conditions – from entering the stretch of road. The stand‑off continued into the night, with the Orangemen remaining at Drumcree Church while police held the line between both sides.
In the early hours of Monday, a small group of Orangemen moved from the church towards the route, but a line of PSNI Land Rovers blocked their way and the march did not proceed.
Portadown District LOL No 1 says that amounts to police frustrating a lawful decision.
“There is a lawful determination in respect of our route. We demand the PSNI now give effect to this determination and inform us as to the start time of our lawful procession to now commence, given it has hitherto been frustrated by the PSNI’s actions,” the statement said.
“The PSNI have failed to uphold the law. They have capitulated to Sinn Féin and nationalism, and now to rub salt into the wounds of our community, the Chief Constable and Secretary of State is to meet with one of the leading figures in orchestrating the illegality and mob rule, Mr McKenna.”
The reference is to Breandán Mac Cionnaith of the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition, who told protesters on Sunday night that he would meet Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant and the Chief Constable on Monday morning for talks. He said residents had secured “commitments” that no parade would come down the road overnight and described events as a “victory” for the community.
Portadown District LOL No 1, however, insists it will not back down.
“We wish to make clear. We aren’t going anywhere,” its statement said.
“We stand ready and require our determination, which has legally been determined in our favour, to be given effect.
“There is no circumstance whereby we will compromise upon this determination being fulfilled. A legally binding decision is not something requiring ‘resolution’: it has itself resolved the matter.”
In a final swipe at police commanders, the District called for resignations at the top of the PSNI.
“Finally, given the sheer incompetence of the PSNI’s operation; we believe both the Chief Constable and ACC Henderson, the gold Commander, should resign.”
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