Orange Order warn Parades Commission that Garvaghy residents' can't be rewarded for rejecting mediation
Portadown Orangemen have warned the Parades Commission that it must press ahead with its mediation process and not allow a Garvaghy Road residents group a veto over the process, the News Letter understands.
The loyal order has told the parading arbitrator that any refusal by those opposed to a Drumcree parade must be considered when it makes its legal determination later this week.
Last week, the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition objected to TIDES Mediation NI being used to facilitate talks, on the basis it had previously worked for the Orange Order.
The outfit is a partnership between TIDES Training and Consultancy and Mediation Northern Ireland. It has carried out work for organisations like the GAA, as well as a raft of public bodies.
During the summer, a legal case brought by a Portadown Orangeman resulted in a previous determination banning a return parade, from Drumcree church and down the Garvaghy Road, being quashed.
The High Court ruling sparked a crisis in the Parades Commission, resulting in the resignation of one of the commissioners. The government also launched a review into how the quango has been operating.
It will have to decide this week whether a scaled-back parade will be allowed to proceed down the contested Garvaghy Road area.
Earlier this month the Orange Order resubmitted its proposal to complete the Drumcree church parade, first halted in 1998.
A previous application suggested two accompanying bands and up to 400 participants. But the order has described the “limited parade” it is now suggesting as “proportionate, inoffensive and wholly reasonable”.
It would be limited to 60 people, wearing collarettes and no other regalia. The silent parade would have no accompanying bands – with the only banners carried those of the Portadown District, the Union flag and an ex-serviceman’s standard.
Organisers say this would reduce the time required to pass each part of the route to less than two minutes, and no more than 15 minutes to pass the entire contested stretch of the Garvaghy Road.
In a statement, they said the procession “will be dignified, non-triumphalist and will be accompanied by six trained stewards who will remain in direct contact with the PSNI”.