Commission says no to Garvaghy Road parade

The Parades Commission in the North has decided once again to prevent Portadown Orangemen from marching along the mainly Nationalist Garvaghy Road on their return journey from Drumcree Church next Sunday. In its ruling, the Commission said that it was conscious that the decision represented no change over the previous three years, but pointed out that it did recognise some promising developments in the past twelve months.

In recent weeks, the Commission added, there had been an exchange of documents between the two protagonists, and maintaining that momentum was highly desirable. However, it recorded its dismay that a combination of high levels of mistrust and poor communication had continued to militate strongly against the interests of both Portadown Orangemen and the people of the Garvaghy Road in resolving this issue. It insisted that some element of trust could only be established through engagement, and it saw an important role for the wider community in Portadown and beyond in establishing that.

The Commission has long been arguing for engagement and said: "What is badly needed in Portadown, in any engagement, is a real attempt to address the legitimate concerns of others, and a preparedness to accommodate those concerns, where it is within the power of the protagonists to do so". The decision by the Commission was made despite a late plea last week from the local MP and Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble, for the parade to be allowed to go ahead. Mr Trimble met the Commission in one of his last duties as First Minister before his weekend resignation.

The Northern Ireland Secretary has appealed for calm and respect for the decision. Dr John Reid said: "I would hope that the decision is respected by everyone and that everyone shows the maximum restraint - we need cool heads over the next few weeks". Some 1,600 extra British troops were ordered into Northern Ireland at the end of last month to be ready to cope with the increased tensions at the height of the marching season. Past bans on the Drumcree parade have resulted in widespread street protests by Loyalists.