Tomorrow’s annual Drumcree march has again been prevented from entering Portadown’s Garvaghy Road by the Parades Commission, writes Dan Keenan, Northern News Editor.
The application to march was delivered to police only last Sunday by Orangemen at Drumcree parish church, where the annual Somme commemoration will be held.
The commission said the application to march along Garvaghy Road was “late” but was considered.
A spokesman said limitations similar to those put in place since Orangemen last walked along the road in 1998 would again be in force.
An application for a feeder parade to pass Ardoyne shops in north Belfast on July 12th, the scene of serious violence last year, has been approved.
Restrictions will apply to marchers using the route past Ardoyne on their way to and from the Ballysillan area to the main Twelfth demonstration. No music is to be permitted and banners will also be restricted. Strict time constraints will also apply.
Restrictions will also apply to a nationalist counter-demonstration.