A decision to ban Orangemen from marching down Garvaghy Road in Portadown in July was quashed at the end of August because the Parades’ Commission failed to follow proper procedure (BBC). Another application was made to march down the road, past the Catholic estate, and this was granted, with restrictions, for September 27th, re-igniting a dispute that has been largely dormant since 1988.
Since the 27th, there has been a stand-off between (on the one hand) Orangemen from Portadown and elsewhere in Northern Ireland and (on the other) local residents supported by leaders from the CNR community – Gerry Adams, Michell O’Neill, Mary Lou McDonald – and celebrities such as Kneecap (BBC) and Damien Dempsey. There have also been a variety of court orders and appeals. The Appeals’ Court’s session yesterday (October 5th) focused on the Commission’s use of a PSNI statement assessing the impact a parade would have (RTÉ); the court reserved judgment (BBC).
This graffiti in on the Springfield Road, west Belfast.
Click image to enlarge
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