British Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged calm after a court allowed an Orange Order parade along Garvaghy Road in Portadown, prompting thousands of protesters to block the route. The decision revived the Drumcree dispute, dormant since the late 1990s, and prompted senior ministers to travel to Belfast to engage with local leaders. Sinn Féin warned the episode risks reversing nearly three decades of progress, while unionist leaders insisted the courts and rule of law must be respected.
Burnham Appeals for Calm as Drumcree Parade Reignites Tensions in Portadown
Protesters block the Garvaghy road ahead of a Portadown District Loyal Orange Lodge (LOL) No 1 march in the first parade along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown for almost 30 years, after the parade was given clearance in a late-night hearing. (is associated with: «Burnham urges calm amid tensions in N Ireland over Orange Order parade») Peter Morrison/PA Wire/dpa
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appealed for calm after a Belfast court cleared an Orange Order parade to walk along the predominantly Catholic Garvaghy Road in Portadown for the first time in almost 30 years. Thousands of protesters gathered to block the route following a late-night ruling, reviving the long-running Drumcree dispute linked to violent clashes during The Troubles.
What Happened
A Court of Appeal concluded that an earlier injunction had been granted in error and the High Court subsequently confirmed the Parades Commission's determination, allowing a limited number of marchers to proceed. Protesters responded by physically blocking Garvaghy Road in a bid to stop the procession.
Political Reactions
Andy Burnham told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg that recent gains in Northern Ireland should not be put at risk and urged "calm on all sides."
Protesters ahead of a Portadown District Loyal Orange Lodge (LOL) No 1 march in the first parade along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown for almost 30 years, after the parade was given clearance in a late-night hearing. (is associated with: «Burnham urges calm amid tensions in N Ireland over Orange Order parade») Peter Morrison/PA Wire/dpa
"[There have been] big gains made in Northern Ireland, and we don't want to see things go backwards. I know it's a tense situation. We do appeal for calm on all sides."
Chris Bryant, Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary, cut short his time at Labour's conference in Liverpool to travel to Belfast and engage directly with local leaders. He urged people to cooperate with the police and said his team was in regular contact with law enforcement.
"So the number one thing I think is people should co-operate with the police. I want everything to pass off as calmly as is possible."
Michelle O'Neill, Northern Ireland's First Minister and vice-president of Sinn Féin, spoke from Garvaghy Road alongside protesters, warning that the revival of the Drumcree dispute "brings into question how this whole peace process works" and saying that elements of unionism risk undoing nearly three decades of progress.
"The progress of the last 28 years have been brought into question by the actions of the Orange Order and those within political unionism that want to drag us backwards... What's the point whenever people are going to railroad over their rights?"
Gavin Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and an Orangeman, urged respect for lawful rulings and said the legal position was clear: a small group of marchers were legally permitted to walk the road in silence. He praised the Portadown Orangemen for their conduct over the years.
Breandan Mac Cionnaith (Brendan McKenna) speaking to protesters as they block the Garvaghy road ahead of a Portadown District Loyal Orange Lodge (LOL) No 1 march in the first parade along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown for almost 30 years, after the parade was given clearance in a late-night hearing. (is associated with: «Burnham urges calm amid tensions in N Ireland over Orange Order parade») Peter Morrison/PA Wire/dpa
"A first minister's duty is to uphold lawful decisions, not inflame opposition to them. The rule of law cannot apply only when Sinn Féin likes the outcome."
Context And Significance
The Drumcree parade has been a flashpoint since the late 20th century; it was effectively banned from the Garvaghy Road route after violent confrontations in the 1990s. The Orange Order, named after William of Orange who defeated James II in 1690, views the marches as part of Protestant cultural and religious tradition, while many Catholic and nationalist residents see them as sectarian and provocative.
The incident highlights persistent sensitivities over identity, memory and public space in Northern Ireland and the fragility of hard-won post-Good Friday Agreement progress. Senior politicians on all sides have called for restraint as police and community leaders manage a tense, evolving situation.
Photographs from the scene showed protesters blocking Garvaghy Road and speakers such as Breandan Mac Cionnaith (Brendan McKenna) addressing the crowd as the late-night court decision took effect.
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