There was a heavy police presence in Lurgan, Co. Armagh, last night as several hundred Orangemen accompanied by loyalist bands staged a "Support Drumcree" parade. Local Orangemen were joined by the Officers of Portadown Orange District as the parade made its way through the town centre to the loyalist Mourneview area.
Here several speakers, including United Unionist Assembly member, Mr Frazer Agnew, addressed the crowd. Mr Agnew accused the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, of "working to a republican agenda" by denying the Portadown Orangemen their civil right to march down the Garvaghy Road.
He was also critical of First Minister Designate, David Trimble, claiming "he only becomes involved with Drumcree whenever there is a crisis in the political process".
Mr Agnew warned that Orangemen would not allow the Drumcree parade to be linked to any agreement which would allow Sinn Fein into an Executive without prior decommissioning.
Mr Harold Gracey, Portadown Orange District Master, once again re-affirmed his intention to remain at Drumcree "until the Orangemen are permitted to return from their church parade by the traditional route".
He said he would continue to take part in talks aimed at resolving the current impasse, but not in any "face-to-face discussions which involved representatives of Sinn Fein or the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition".
Following the rally the parade returned to Lurgan town centre and marched past the predominantly nationalist Edward and William Street areas. The police presence was particularly strong as the Orangemen passed within 50 metres of the offices of murdered solicitor, Rosemary Nelson.
The parade then returned to Brownlow House where it dispersed. As police were withdrawing from the nationalist areas, there were a series of minor confrontations between nationalist youths and the RUC.