Dissident republican group Saoradh says people of Garvaghy Road should 'defend' their community against Orange march 'in whichever way they see fit'

It also lambasted what it said is the weakness shown by Sinn Fein.

This comes after the Parades Commission ruled on Friday that a parade can go ahead from Drumcree Parish Church down the Garvaghy Road on Sunday at 8am, in silence, with a single banner, no supporters, and no more than 35 people.

It is the first time a march has been allowed down the road since 1997.

See here for more – Drumcree veteran says ruling raises the question: What have the Parades Commission been doing for 28 years?

Meanwhile a High Court hearing is widely expected to take place today in an effort to stop the planned parade.

Saoradh has previously been linked to the New IRA, though it denies this.

In 2019, after the murder of Lyra McKee, the group said: “We did not and do not speak on behalf of any other organisation and contrary to a hostile media and state narrative we do not speak on behalf of the Irish Republican Army.”

In the wake of Friday’s ruling it has now posted a message on its Facebook page, called Irish Revolutionary News.

It is claimed that “the Crown Forces” have cancelled all leave and asked for assistance from police forces in Britain (this has not been confirmed by the PSNI).

The statement added: “Their claim of this 'dispute' being a civil rights denial must be treated with the contempt it deserves when considering the other unwanted parades they hold in Newry for example, where the town is effectively shut down to accommodate them.

"It also must be pointed out that this situation has only arisen due to Sinn Fein pandering to the Orange Order over other bigot walks in places like Derry and Ardoyne.

"Any Sinn Fein led protest in response to this Sunday's planned parade is nothing more than a token gesture attempt at saving face.

"They sold out the Ardoyne community when they took part in shady negotiations with the UVF over their return march and ultimately did a deal in return for British funding.

"That deal has led directly to this morning's determination and will lead to other areas like the Ormeau Road potentially being next.

"Saoradh unreservedly support the people of the Garvaghy Road in defending their community in whichever way they see fit and encourage all republicans to support their people and community on the Garvaghy Road this Sunday.

"The days of unwanted, sectarian, triumphant hate parades trampling over the rights of Nationalist communities are over.

"They're not wanted nor welcome in Derry or Dunloy, Ardoyne or the Ormeau and they're not welcome nor wanted on the Garvaghy Road.”

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant noted that the Parades Commission’s decision is “legally binding”, and urged everyone to “abide by the law”.

“It’s up to all of us in positions of political and civic leadership across Northern Ireland to do everything we can to lower the temperature,” he said.

"We have made so many advances over the years in Northern Ireland.

"Now is the time for cool heads and careful consideration for how our words and actions impact others.

"Hard-won progress has withstood many moments of sharp disagreement over the years.

"It must do so again. We have come too far.”