Portadown Orange District LOL 1 says the Parades Commission has taken a “significant” step towards resolving the long‑running Drumcree parading stand‑off by appointing an independent mediation facilitator.
In a statement issued on Thursday evening, the district confirmed it has been formally notified of the appointment and claimed it had “for many years argued for mediation”, accusing the Commission of previously rewarding “obstinate refusals to engage in dialogue” from opponents of the parade.
The statement comes as the Orange Order seeks the return of a Sunday church parade along the Garvaghy Road, a route blocked by Parades Commission determinations since the late 1990s.
Garvaghy Road residents’ representatives, however, have repeatedly insisted that the issue is “settled” and that the march cannot return through their community, pointing to almost three decades of determinations and changing demographics in the area. In comments reported earlier this summer, residents urged the Order to “accept reality” and said there was “no appetite” locally for revisiting the dispute.
Portadown District said the Commission’s move to appoint a facilitator marked a clear shift.
“We can confirm that the Parades Commission have now appointed a mediation facilitator. This is a significant development,” the statement read.
“We have for many years argued for mediation, but this was rejected and instead obstinate refusals to engage in dialogue was rewarded by the Parades Commission, allowing a veto to be exercised by those who refused to engage. It is welcome it is recognised that position is no longer sustainable.”
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The District said it was ready to begin talks “as a matter of urgency without any preconditions”.
“We wish to engage in dialogue and consultation in a respectful manner based upon principles of tolerance and inclusion,” it added.
“However, we do make clear that mediation cannot be used as a device to obstruct or impede consideration of our upcoming notification,” it said.
“We are disappointed at the Parades Commission delay in commencing this process, but stand ready to engage on an intensive basis to seek resolution to any concerns which persist.”
Calling on those opposed to the Drumcree parade to come to the table, the District said: “We urge those opposed to our exercise of the peaceful enjoyment of our rights to enter into dialogue and together we can seek to achieve a resolution to this longstanding issue, building a tolerant and rights-based society, respecting everyone.”
Portadown district also moved to emphasise its stance on public order and legality.
“Finally, we reiterate our unequivocal commitment to the rule of law and again make clear that these matters can only be resolved via purely peaceful and lawful means,” it said.
“There is no threat of any form of disorder, disruption or violence from our community and any unjust interference with the peaceful exercise of our rights will be addressed using the legal process exclusively.”
Concluding, the district urged “all others with an interest in this issue to match our commitment”, suggesting that a cross‑community pledge to “peaceful and lawful means of resolving our differences” should be the starting point, “reflective of the Northern Ireland of 2026”.
Representatives of the Garvaghy Road residents have previously said they stand by the long‑established determinations and that their position on parades returning to the area has not changed.
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