Drumcree: Garvaghy Road residents fail in bid to challenge Parades Commission decision
The Court of Appeal has rejected Garvaghy Road residents’ challenge to the Parades Commission’s decision to permit an Orange Order parade through the predominantly nationalist area of Portadown.
Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan said the court reached its decision before Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant prohibited the event on Friday. The commission had approved the planned parade in September.
The court found the commission had properly considered police advice about possible disorder and had given sufficient reasons for its ruling. The commission said it would review the full judgment and consider any lessons for future decisions.
The Portadown Orangemen are seeking to overturn Bryant’s intervention, which followed advice from the chief constable. Residents’ coalition spokesperson Breandán Mac Cionnaith said the court outcome was largely academic while the ban stood, and said his group would oppose future marches.
Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson, who appeared outside court with TUV MLA Timothy Gaston, welcomed the ruling. Mac Cionnaith said further Orange Order marches on the road were likely, leaving uncertainty over future disputes.
Key points
- The Court of Appeal upheld the Parades Commission’s handling of its decision to allow the parade.
- A government ban issued Friday remains in place, but Portadown Orangemen are challenging it.
- Residents say they will oppose future marches; further parades may be planned.