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Police block Orange Order parade on Garvaghy Road after protests

Police prevented the Orange Order from marching down Garvaghy Road in Portadown early on Monday after protesters had gathered, following a court decision allowing the parade with restrictions.

  • Police blocked the Orange Order from marching on Garvaghy Road in Portadown early on Monday.
  • Protesters had gathered on the mainly-nationalist Garvaghy Road on Sunday, preventing the permitted parade.
  • Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O'Neill joined the protest, leading to accusations of unlawful behaviour from DUP leader Gavin Robinson.

Police prevented the Orange Order from making a parade down Garvaghy Road in Portadown in the early hours of Monday. A line of police Land Rovers stood in the way as a group of men attempted to march from Drumcree Church.

The Orange Order had been unable to complete the permitted parade on Sunday morning due to protesters gathering on the mainly-nationalist Garvaghy Road. The stand-off continued throughout Sunday, with Orangemen waiting at the church for police clearance.

Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O'Neill joined the protest, prompting Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson to accuse her of acting unlawfully. Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant called for "compromise" amidst the dispute.

The Parades Commission had decided on Friday that the march could go ahead with restrictions, following 28 years of unsuccessful applications. This decision was challenged in Belfast courts on Saturday but was ultimately given the go-ahead hours before it was due to take place.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher stated that officers had been gathering evidence from the outset of the events. Two local schools announced they would close on Monday due to the ongoing situation, citing safety concerns.

Why this matters: The dispute over the Garvaghy Road parade has historically been linked to serious public disorder and several murders in Northern Ireland.

What this means for you: Two schools in the affected area announced closures on Monday due to the continuing situation, impacting pupils, families, and staff.

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