Drumcree march ban upheld by High Court
A bid to overturn the Northern Ireland secretary's decision to ban the Drumcree parade has failed. The High Court in Belfast has ruled that Sir Chris Bryant's decision, made on 9 October, was lawful.
The judicial review was brought by a Portadown Orangeman against Sir Chris and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Jon Boutcher. The secretary of state's intervention to stop the parade came after he received security advice from Boutcher.
The Drumcree dispute has a long history, dating back to the mid-1990s when the Orange Order was prevented by police from walking down the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. The issue has led to numerous legal challenges, including the latest one, which was heard in court this week.
The High Court judge, Mr Justice Scoffield, said that the secretary of state's decision was lawful and within the margin of discretion properly afforded him. However, he also expressed regret that the decision was required in the circumstances that arose, and warned that the position reached had been brought about at significant cost to the people of Northern Ireland.
The ruling has been met with mixed reactions, with some welcoming the decision and others expressing disappointment. The Traditional Unionist Voice leader, Jim Allister, said that the legality of the right of Portadown District was not removed, while Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey said that defending the residents was the right thing to do.
The case has highlighted the ongoing tensions between the Orange Order and nationalist residents of the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. The dispute has been ongoing for decades, with the Parades Commission operating since 1998 to regulate parades and try to defuse tension around marches.
