Garvaghy Road stand-off: There's a difference between what's legal and what's right, says SDLP leader

The Portadown street continues to be blocked after residents lost a court battle that sought to stop a heavily restricted Orange Order parade moving along it.

In the early hours of this morning, Belfast’s High Court upheld a Parades Commission decision that a maximum of 35 Orangemen could silently walk down the road. No traditional bands or supporters were permitted.

That parade was supposed to begin at 8am, but has been delayed as a large crowd continues to obstruct the street.

Ms Hanna was one of many nationalist leaders at the scene this morning, and now says that “what is being asked of each side is not equal”.

“Residents live on this road,” she stated. “They work here, raise their families here and send their children to school here. They have to be here but the parade has numerous uncontested options.

“The Orange Order knows the history of Garvaghy Road. It knows that this is about much more than the passage of a parade. It knows the hurt, fear and potential consequences involved.

“At a moment like this, having the legal right to do something does not remove the responsibility to consider whether it should be done.”

Stating that “he courts have ruled on the legal position”, she added: “There remains an important distinction between what is legally permissible and what is responsible or right.”

Ms Hanna added that she’d asked the Chief Constable and the Secretary of State use their powers “to prevent this situation escalating further”.