A high court judge in Belfast has temporarily suspended a controversial loyalist parade in Portadown, urging all parties to "step back from the abyss" for the sake of Northern Ireland. Justice Smyth issued the order after a five-hour hearing, temporarily halting the parade that was scheduled for 8am on Sunday.
The ruling also suspended the Parades Commission's decision from Friday, which had allowed the event to take place with restrictions on participant numbers. The judge's decision follows a last-minute legal challenge by the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition.
Tensions remain high, with loyalists planning an appeal against the decision at a second special hearing on Saturday night. The Portadown loyalist Orange Lodge, which was not represented at the initial hearing, has indicated it will not agree to suspend the procession.
Fears of clashes increased after a request for a countermarch, which the court heard could attract up to 5,000 people, later revised to 300. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant have called for calm and cool heads.