Parades chief declines Orangemen's invitation

The chairman of the Parades Commission in Northern Ireland tonight rejected a request from Portadown Orangemen to go to Drumcree…

The chairman of the Parades Commission in Northern Ireland tonight rejected a request from Portadown Orangemen to go to Drumcree at the weekend to meet them.

The Oranegmen asked to meet Mr Tony Holland on Sunday at the police barrier which will block them from the Garvaghy Road for the fifth year running.

They said they wanted to hand over a letter to him personally protesting at the ban.

Mr Holland tonight thanked the Orangemen for their invitation to Drumcree, which he said he appreciated.

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But a statement from the Commission added: "However he felt that the inevitable very brief and public nature of such a proposed meeting would be counterproductive."

Portadown Orangemen have constantly refused to meet the Parades Commission or Mr Holland and have only made contact through intermediaries.

Mr Holland said following his refusal to meet on Sunday that he "looks forward to taking up the invitation and looks forward to meeting them at the earliest opportunity".

Portadown Orangemen have denied they were trying to set up a stunt on the front line, but have given no indication they are ready to meet Mr Holland after their parade has again been blocked.

Meanwhile, senior police and British army officers are putting the finishing touches to the major security operation they will again be forced to mount to enforce the Parade's Commission ban. British army engineers are expected to move in early on Saturday to set up the barriers to keep the parade from the Garvaghy Road.

The local chief commander has said he hopes to mount a reduced security operation if, as appears so far, the heat has gone out of the protest.

The Portadown Orange Lodge has insisted it wants its protest at not being allowed to march the traditional route to be peaceful.