Protesters disperse after blocking Orange Order parade in Portadown
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Hundreds of protesters blocked a road in Portadown, County Armagh on Sunday, preventing a contentious Orange Order march from taking place. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill joined the protesters, while members of the Orange Order and DUP politicians gathered about a mile away. Most protesters dispersed by Sunday evening, but some Orange Order members remained at Drumcree Parish Church.
Key Facts
- Hundreds of protesters blocked a road in Portadown, County Armagh on Sunday, preventing an Orange Order march from taking place.
- Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill joined the protesters, while DUP leader Gavin Robinson said she was breaking the law by protesting.
- Orange Order deputy district master Nigel Dawson said the 35 members would not go home and insisted they would complete the 1998 parade.
- Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition spokesperson Breandán Mac Cionnaith said the coalition will meet the PSNI chief constable and Northern Ireland secretary on Monday.
The Standoff
Hundreds of protesters blocked a road in Portadown, County Armagh on Sunday, preventing a contentious Orange Order march from taking place. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill joined the protesters, while members of the Orange Order and Democratic Unionist Party politicians gathered about a mile away, waiting for the road to clear. Most of the protesters dispersed by Sunday evening, but some members of the Orange Order remained at Drumcree Parish Church. Late on Sunday night, the Order's local deputy district master Nigel Dawson said he was "disappointed and frustrated" by what he called a lack of a "proper policing plan" to allow the march to go ahead.
Political Reactions
Michelle O'Neill said the Garvaghy Road community had won a "victory" and that the community did not want the march. DUP leader Gavin Robinson said O'Neill was breaking the law by protesting and had "broken her pledge of office". Robinson said it was "shameful" to see a first minister and elected representatives participating in an unlawful protest.
Next Steps
Breandán Mac Cionnaith, from the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition, said the coalition will meet the Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable and the Northern Ireland secretary on Monday. Mac Cionnaith said their goal was to "make sure we stop them permanently" and asked some residents to remain on the streets. Nigel Dawson insisted the Orange Order would "complete our 1998 parade, which we set out this morning to do" and said the 35 members would not go home.
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