+34
That is the most uncomfortable of all questions for unionism
Sir, – The events surrounding the Drumcree parade dispute reveal a wider conflict between the assertion of marching rights and the lasting harm experienced by families and communities along the Garvaghy Road.
Following the murder of Jason , Mark and Richard Quinn by the Ulster Volunteer Force in July 1998, the Orange Order’s Grand Chaplain for County Armagh, Reverend William Bingham, observed: “ ... a walk down the Garvaghy Road by the Orange Order would be a very hollow victory because it would be in the shadow of three coffins of little boys who wouldn’t even know what the Orange Order is about”. In the shadow of these murders, the Orange Order’s Portadown District did not step back to allow a family and a community to grieve.
Instead, they submitted notifications every week to the Parades Commission to complete the unfinished part of their march and continued to do so for the years thereafter. What makes these actions even more reprehensible is the district’s stated belief that their marching route is set in tablets of stone, despite their agreement to alternative marching routes both before and after 1998.
For example, from 1986 the march was routed away from Obins Street with Orange Order leaders agreeing to the change at that time. Parades Commission figures show there were 2,507 Protestant, unionist and loyalist marches throughout the North from April 1st, 2025, to March 2026. That figure alone makes it demonstrably clear that the traditions of this community are being accommodated as a matter of course.
After nearly three decades, the question is no longer about the route itself, but why marching down the Garvaghy Road continues to be pursued by the Orange Order, and that is the most uncomfortable of all questions for unionism. – Yours, etc, SINÉAD MÁIRE NÍ BHROIN, Buncrana, Co Donegal. Sir, – How can we be back here again? Surely all sides could predict what would happen if the marchers were to be given the opportunity to parade through Garvaghy Road.
Now that the law appears to be on their side, the marchers are emboldened despite the obvious distress caused to the residents. A resolution seems unlikely in the current situation. My suggestion is to take a huge breath, let them have their moment of triumphalism with one more condition. They must agree that this is the last one.
Let them have their parade, provided they are committed to never again marching down this road. – Yours, etc, LEONARD HOGAN, Sutton, Dublin 13.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Portadown Protesters Disperse After Claims of Parliamentary Engagement on Orange Order ParadeA large-scale blockade on Garvaghy Road in Portadown, aimed at stopping an Orange Order march from Drumcree Church, has largely been lifted following promises of a new negotiation process. Officials from the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition, the Northern Ireland Secretary, and police leadership announced intentions to address the dispute, while senior Sinn Féin figures were also present, leading to accusations from unionists of unlawful conduct. The protest, which began after the Parades Commission granted the Orangemen permission to march on a predominantly nationalist street for the first time in over 25 years, was illegal under local parading law. The police, in response to an unnotified gathering, set up a barricade and warned participants of potential arrest. Despite the heavy presence of government representatives and the ongoing political tensions, the crowd largely dispersed, leaving the primary school on Garvaghy Road closed for the day. The incident underscores continuing sectarian tensions in Northern Ireland and the fragile position of Stormont institutions.
Read more »
Garvaghy Road Parade Ruling Sparks Northern Ireland CrisisThe decision to permit an Orange Order parade on Garvaghy Road for the first time in 28 years has sparked protests and political crisis in Northern Ireland, with calls for an inquiry.
Read more »
Northern Ireland Crisis Rises Over Orange Order Parade at DrumcreeThe Irish and British governments are grappling with escalating tensions over the Orange Order parade at Drumcree, as political parties clash and law enforcement prepares for a potential showdown. This news explains the political stakes, the current stand‑off, and the broader implications for peace and power sharing in Northern Ireland.
Read more »
Orange Order Processions at Drumcree Remain Brief and PolishedA small group of Orange Order members has repeatedly marched toward Garvaghy Road before being stopped by PSNI officers. The encounters have remained brief and polite, with no overnight camps set up, but the possibility of larger crowds has created uncertainty in Portadown.
Read more »