A “large scale criminal investigation” into the unlawful protest on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown is now under way, the PSNI Chief Constable has confirmed, as police continue efforts to give effect to a Parades Commission determination on the Drumcree parade.
Jon Boutcher said he had issued a “clear direction” to prioritise evidence‑gathering and the criminal justice process after residents’ protests blocked a Parades Commission‑authorised return parade from travelling down the Garvaghy Road in recent days.
The Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson are today (Wednesday) holding meetings with a number of organisations, including the Orange Order and the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Association, alongside ongoing discussions at Hillsborough involving Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant.
“These meetings are taking place in the backdrop and support of the ongoing discussions with Secretary of State, Sir Chris Bryant,” the PSNI said.
In a forthright statement, Mr Boutcher said the Police Service had “once again become the shock absorber of our society”.
“My officers and our mutual aid colleagues have and will continue to police Drumcree and our communities independently and impartially,” he said.
“The principle objective in achieving the Parades Commission determination is to do so peacefully.
“People shouting at me has absolutely no effect on my judgement and they would do well to learn that. My overriding responsibility is to keep people safe.”
He stressed that while the PSNI is working to give effect to the Commission’s ruling in favour of Portadown District LOL No 1, it could not be enforced “at any cost”.
“We continue to seek to achieve compliance with the Parades Commission determination, obtained by the Orange Order, and have created the space for the ongoing talks at Hillsborough with the parties involved,” he said.
“To be clear, the upholding of the Parades Commission determination does not come at any cost. The outstanding officers of the PSNI and our mutual aid colleagues will not allow society to implode into violent disorder and mob rule must not be allowed to win.”
Confirming the new investigation, he added: “A large scale criminal investigation is underway regarding unlawful protest on the Garvaghy Road. I have given a clear direction regarding prioritising the evidence gathering and a criminal justice process.”
Mr Boutcher said all sides now needed to concentrate on finding a lasting outcome to one of Northern Ireland’s most fraught parading disputes.
“We all need to focus our efforts on resolving this situation once and for all. I will not be part of this society moving backwards,” he said.
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