Drumcree standoff continues as marching permission expires; and household energy arrears

Drumcree standoff continues as marching permission expires; and household energy arrears

Listen | 07:29
Police vans maintain the road block as the members of the Orange Order begin to disperse at Drumcree Church in Portadown, during an intense parading stand-off between the Order and the local residents of the Garvaghy Road, who oppose the parade through the predominantly nationalist area. Photograph: Peter Morrison/PA Wire
Police vans maintain the road block as the members of the Orange Order begin to disperse at Drumcree Church in Portadown, during an intense parading stand-off between the Order and the local residents of the Garvaghy Road, who oppose the parade through the predominantly nationalist area. Photograph: Peter Morrison/PA Wire

Permission for an Orange Order march on the Gervaghy Road in Portadown expired at midnight with 35 Orangemen blocked by thousands of nationalist protestors.

The Government is facing fresh pressure on the public finances, after a €700 million spending buffer set aside earlier this year was completely used up.

More than 328,000 homes are in electricity arrears according to new figures.

A controversy over Dublin’s Herzog Park has highlighted a legal gap that could require new legislation.

Andrew McNair

Andrew McNair

Andrew McNair is an audio producer at The Irish Times

OUR PODCASTS