Residents challenge permission for Garvaghy Road Orange march

The Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition is challenging the Parades Commission’s decision to permit an Orange Order march along the mainly nationalist road in Portadown. Judge Patricia Smyth adjourned the High Court proceedings in Belfast on Saturday and asked the parties to discuss a way forward before the planned Sunday parade. [1]

The commission has restricted the march to 35 participants, rather than the 60 requested, and barred bands and supporters. It must depart by 08:00 BST instead of the proposed 13:00 start. The residents’ coalition has also applied to hold a protest on Sunday, listing 5,000 participants. [1]

In court, a lawyer for the residents questioned whether the police assessment cited in the commission’s decision covered everything officers had told it. The coalition’s legal team asked for the full assessment and earlier versions. The decision says police made written and oral submissions and, at the time, had no information indicating the parade would result in disorder or violence. [1]