PSNI investigating six unnotified processions across Northern Ireland
Police investigations into unnotified processions across Northern Ireland have expanded to include six separate incidents in a single week, encompassing political protests, loyalist demonstrations, and a local sports victory celebration.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed it is examining gatherings on the Shankill Road in west Belfast, Dunloy, Tennent Street in north Belfast, Bangor, the Waterside area of Derry, and Newtownabbey. The enforcement actions follow heightened political friction surrounding parading disputes, notably involving the Garvaghy Road in Portadown.
Political Figures Questioned by Police
Elected officials have faced direct police scrutiny over their participation in recent demonstrations. People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll attended a voluntary interview lasting more than 90 minutes at Musgrave police station after participating in protests on the Garvaghy Road.
Mr Carroll told reporters outside the station that he attended the demonstration openly as an elected representative to stand with local residents. He stated that he was exercising his right to free expression and peaceful assembly and denied any criminal offending.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and several other Sinn Féin MLAs have also received letters from police regarding their attendance at the same demonstrations. The nearly two-week stand-off on the Garvaghy Road developed after the Parades Commission decided to permit an Orange Order parade to complete its traditional route from Drumcree Church down the road for the first time in almost 30 years.
That march ultimately failed to take place due to large crowds of protesters gathering on the road. Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant subsequently intervened to overturn the commission’s decision and ban the parade from proceeding. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher previously warned that individuals found to have broken the law would face consequences.
Mr Carroll’s legal representative, Jack Murphy of Phoenix Law, asserted that the proposition that standing with the Garvaghy Road residents constitutes a criminal offence is absurd.
Sport Celebrations and Loyalist Demonstrations Under Scrutiny
The scope of the PSNI inquiries extends beyond political assemblies. A local community gathering celebrating a camogie title win in Dunloy is included among the six alleged unnotified processions under investigation.
The gathering in the County Antrim village took place last Sunday evening after the local Dunloy Cuchullains club secured the Antrim senior camogie title for the first time in 23 years. Crowds assembled to cheer on the team as they travelled through the village on an open-topped lorry, accompanied by an accordion band and fireworks.
Additional inquiries target loyalist demonstrations and parades held across multiple locations over the past week. These comprise loyalist parades in Bangor and on the Shankill Road in Belfast, along with loyalist protests in Derry’s Waterside area, Newtownabbey, and Tennent Street in north Belfast.
Details regarding a planned loyalist protest from Woodvale Park to the police station on Tennent Street were previously circulated on social media. Some loyalists have stated they are withdrawing cooperation from both the Parades Commission and the PSNI in response to the prohibition of the Orange Order parade in Portadown.
Police Balance Public Assembly Rights with Safety
Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally outlined the operational balance police must maintain when addressing public assemblies. He stated that while the right to participate in a public procession is a fundamental human right, it must be balanced against the rights of others, public health and safety, the reduction of disruption to normal life, and the prevention and detection of crime.
Mr McNally noted that public processions are required to submit lawful notification prior to proceeding, and that operating without such notification may constitute an offence. He added that police assessments prioritize public safety, the prevention of disorder, and the requirement that any response remains lawful, necessary, and proportionate.