Orange order: No sign of resolution after controversial Drumcree parade blocked
Orangemen remain at Drumcree Church 24 hours a daypublished at 08:05 BST
Claire Graham
in Portadown
As the sun begins to rise over Portadown, it is 24 hours since the Orangemen were due to leave for Garvaghy Road. Where I am now, on Drumcree Road, right next to the stone Drumcree Parish Church, the lodge is still there and so are the police.
Over the past few hours the men had tried to get back on the road, they walked in silence and were stopped by three PSNI Land Rovers. There is frustration. The Orange Order says they have the legal right to use this route and that police should facilitate their route along Garvaghy Road.
This is something the DUP MP also said to me recently. Carla Lockhart returned around 3:00 a.m. and spent over an hour here.
She said the police chief needed to take charge very quickly or his position would become untenable.
Until around midnight there were still hundreds of people on Garvaghy Road.
Breandán Mac Cionnaith, of the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition, told the crowd he was meeting the Secretary of State and the Chief Constable today, but would not prejudge those conversations.
Alongside him are Sinn Féin Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill and party president Mary Lou McDonald.
The majority of demonstrators then left the road.
What will happen this morning – we can’t be sure. But for now, Portadown lodge says they will only stray from this church to complete their walk.
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