Belfast Court Rules Northern Secretary’s Drumcree Parade Ban Lawful
Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant acted lawfully when he banned an Orange Order parade along the nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown earlier this month, the High Court in Belfast ruled, dismissing a legal challenge brought by the Portadown District.
High Court Rules on Intervention
Mr Justice Scoffield delivered the ruling on the judicial review, finding that the decision to halt the procession fell within the margin of discretion properly afforded to the Northern Ireland Secretary, The Journal reported. Sir Chris intervened on 9 October after a stand-off lasting almost two weeks on Drumcree Hill, acting on security advice from PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, BBC reported.
A Belfast court has ruled that the Northern Secretary made a lawful decision when he banned the Drumcree parade earlier this month https://t.co/XqCVCb1NhQ
The court heard that the Parades Commission had initially permitted 35 members of the Orange Order to complete an early morning silent march without bands along the Garvaghy Road on 27 September. It marked the first time the route had been approved in 28 years. However, a large crowd of residents and nationalist supporters gathered in opposition, and the procession did not proceed as police assessed that escorting the march safely would require a disproportionate security response and carry a risk of serious disorder.
Decision Brings Significant Financial and Community Costs
Mr Justice Scoffield noted that while the Secretary of State’s decision was lawful, the situation carried severe repercussions for the region. He stated that the position reached had brought about a very significant cost to the people of Northern Ireland financially, through the diversion of police resources, and in terms of community relations.
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.
The judge added that the threat of serious and widespread disorder had loomed large, noting that dissident republicans had attended the protests with a risk that weapons might be used against police officers. At the same time, loyalists gathered in support of the Orange Order as the stand-off continued.
Polls Show Support for Blocking the Parade
Fresh polling data published by The Irish News and conducted by More In Common surveyed 1,019 adults between 11 October and 20 October. The research indicated that 53% of respondents believed Sir Chris was right to block the parade, while the same proportion thought the Parades Commission was wrong to allow the initial march. The polling also revealed a shift in voting intentions, with Sinn Féin’s support rising to 30% and the DUP moving to 18%.
A legal challenge to the decision by Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant to ban the Drumcree Orange Order parade has been dismissed at Belfast High Courthttps://t.co/q4J1tCvrPJ
Political fallout from the dispute involved several Sinn Féin politicians, including First Minister Michelle O’Neill, attending police interviews regarding their participation in the protest. Calls for the DUP to collapse the devolved Executive over the handling of the situation have been resisted by party leader Gavin Robinson.
Orange Order Plans Appeal After High Court Dismissal
With the High Court dismissing the initial application for judicial review, attention turns to the promised appeal by the Orange Order’s legal representatives. Questions remain over how future determinations by the Parades Commission will be managed in Portadown and whether further protests or legal actions will materialize as community divisions persist.
