Garvaghy Road residents take Orange Order parade appeal to High Court

Residents of the Garvaghy Road in Portadown have filed an appeal to the High Court in Belfast, seeking to block an Orange Order parade scheduled for Sunday morning.

The Parades Commission granted the Orange Order permission to march along the Garvaghy Road for the first time in almost 30 years, imposing limits of no more than 35 participants, a start time of 8:00 am from Drumcree Church, and a finish by 9:30 am, with no supporters or bands allowed on the route.

Local residents argue the area, historically a predominantly Catholic and nationalist neighbourhood, has rebuilt its community since the Troubles and do not wish to be “dragged back to the past”. Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy said he hopes the appeal succeeds, warning of the potential repercussions if the march proceeds against local wishes.

Jamie Bryson, legal representative for the Portadown District LOL1, which applied for the parade, expressed doubt about the appeal’s chances of success but said the district would comply with any court decision and expects the PSNI to manage any lawful, peaceful protest.

The High Court is set to hear the case on Saturday morning, with a decision required before the scheduled parade on Sunday.

Source: Newstalk. Photo: Ahmad Nafik Mundzir / Pexels.