Drumcree reaction: High Court refuses challenge against Chris Bryant ban of Orange parade on Garvaghy Road

Dismissing the application for a judicial review of the decision by Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant to stop the Drumcree Orange Order parade, Mr Justice Scoffield said today that the decision was lawful.

“The Secretary of State’s decision was lawful and within the margin of discretion properly afforded to him, although it was highly regrettable it was required in the circumstances in which it arose,” he said.

Loyalist activist and legal advisor to the Portadown district of the Orange Order Jamie Bryson has insisted the organisation “will walk the Garvaghy Road”, after a High Court judge found the Secretary of State’s decision to ban the Drumcree parade was lawful.

Speaking outside the High Court in Belfast, Mr Bryson said: “What has been established in court today can be summarised very simply: the Portadown District established a legal right to walk the Garvaghy Road.”

He added: “Whatever about the legalities of this decision, we will study it carefully. Counsel has already made clear in court we will, in all likelihood, be lodging an appeal, but the most important thing to come out of this judgment – and I urge everybody to read it – is the concluding remarks of Mr Justice Schofield, and particularly those who want to sustain the people referred to in this judgment in office, go and read this today.

“The Portadown District will set out their next approach in the coming days, but let me be very clear about one thing, which that approach will include: the Portadown District will walk the Garvaghy Road.

“They will exercise their legal entitlement and they will do so sooner rather than later.”

However spokesman for the Garvaghy Road residents, Breandan Mac Cionnaith, said those living in the mostly nationalist area were “fully vindicated” after a High Court judge found the Secretary of State’s decision to ban the Drumcree parade was lawful.

He told reporters outside the High Court: “The position of the community of the Garvaghy Road, the men, women, and kids who live there has been fully vindicated today.

“The position we took in relation to this Orange March was fully justified. All we sought was the right that was promised under the Good Friday Agreement, the right to live free from sectarian harassment. That right has been vindicated and upheld today.”

Taoiseach Micheal Martin, meanwhile, said there is a need to “strengthen and develop” community relationships following the High Court’s ruling.

Speaking outside Government Buildings in Dublin, Mr Martin was asked about the court’s ruling that the Secretary of State’s decision to ban the Drumcree Orange Order parade was lawful.

Mr Martin said: “I think the most important thing now is to try and develop and build stronger community relations in the area, I would hope that.

“In my view, there is no need for that parade to go down the Garvaghy Road.

“So we need to broaden the conversation into community relationships and strengthening those and developing those, and see what additional assistance and support we can give to the broader community in the area.”