Northern Ireland High Court Clears Way for Orange Order March Through Garvaghy Road

Northern Ireland’s High Court has permitted the Orange Order, a Protestant organisation, to march through a mainly Catholic area in the town of Portadown for the first time in 28 years, reviving one of the region’s most contentious marching disputes.

The court rejected a final attempt by residents to stop the parade passing through the Garvaghy Road early on Sunday, following an earlier decision by Northern Ireland’s Court of Appeal to overturn a temporary injunction granted on Saturday.

Large crowds gathered on the road before the procession, with the Belfast Telegraph reporting that protesters planned to block the route peacefully by linking arms.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill, vice president of Sinn Fein, joined residents opposing the march and backed their right to protest while urging restraint. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald also condemned the court decision, stating her party stood with the Garvaghy Road community.

Meanwhile, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly urged people to stay away from the area, emphasizing that threats of violence were unacceptable.

The Parades Commission approved the Sunday procession with strict limitations, including a 35-person limit, a ban on bands and accompanying supporters, and a required finish time of 9:30am (08:30 GMT).

The dispute over the route stems from the Drumcree parade confrontations during the decades-long conflict known as the Troubles, which largely ended with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.