The Parades Commission of Northern Ireland is today expected to make a decision on Sunday’s contentious parade at Drumcree in Portadown.
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A Birtish Army helicopter flies
over Drumcree Church during last yesr's march |
However, with meetings between the Commission and other interested parties ongoing, the decision may be delayed until tomorrow.
The Parades Commission has always rerouted the Orange march away from the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road, the residents of which have always protested against the route.
In 1996 the RUC overturned the Parades Commission’s decision and allowed the march down the Garvaghy Road for "security reasons".
First Minister and Ulster Unionist Party leader Mr David Trimble appealed to the Commission to allow the parade to go ahead.
“I would hope very much when the Parades Commission come to make their decision that they will this year break the cycle of ban and violence by this year upholding the right to march.
“There will not be general acceptance of how things are conducted here unless Orangemen too feel that their rights are being respected,” he added.