Garvaghy Road protesters disperse but Orange Order parade remains unresolved
A court-approved Orange Order march down the Garvaghy Road in Portadown was halted by nationalist protesters for more than a day; they have now dispersed and the parade remains unresolved.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The long-running dispute over the Drumcree parade returned to Portadown this weekend after the Parades Commission allowed 35 Orange Order members to march along the Garvaghy Road for the first time in nearly 30 years. The road is mainly home to Irish nationalists, who have opposed the march for decades and describe it as sectarian intimidation.
The decision followed a legal wrangle. The High Court had quashed the Parades Commission's earlier restrictions after finding a procedural error. The Orange Order submitted a new application, which the Commission approved. Residents then went to the High Court to try to stop the parade. A judge granted a temporary injunction, warning that mistrust between the two sides could not be overstated and that the dispute could escalate. The Orange Order appealed. In a late-night hearing, three senior judges overturned the injunction. Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan said the High Court judge had erred in law. A further hearing ran until 2am, but the parade remained legally cleared to go ahead.
Political reaction was sharp. Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle O'Neill called the decision reckless and joined protesters on the Garvaghy Road. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said the Secretary of State and Chief Constable should intervene, calling the situation madness. The DUP said there was nothing to fear and accused Sinn Fein politicians of acting as lawbreakers. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said threats of violence were wrong, while unionists said the Orange Order should be allowed to march. Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant and Prime Minister Andy Burnham appealed for calm.
On Sunday morning, the parade did not begin as planned at 8am. Hundreds of protesters, and at times thousands, linked arms and blocked the Garvaghy Road. Police warned that the protest was unlawful and could lead to arrest. The 35 Orange Order members waited at Drumcree Church while police said the road was not clear. About 200 extra officers were drafted in from Scotland. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher appealed for calm and said police were gathering evidence.
The standoff continued into a second day. Protests were smaller but the road remained blocked. Attempts by small numbers of Orange Order members to start the march were stopped by police. Chris Bryant held talks with political parties but no agreement was reached. The First Minister's participation in the protest caused a row at Stormont, with unionists accusing her of breaking the law. Nationalist leaders said they were open to international mediation.
By the latest reports, the protesters had dispersed after blocking the route for more than 24 hours. The courts had cleared the route for the parade, and some Orange Order members said they still planned to complete the march. It remains unclear whether the parade will go ahead, and the dispute has raised fresh questions about stability in Northern Ireland's power-sharing government.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC News | BBC One | Channel 4 | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A large crowd gathered on the Garvaghy Road overnight, including some men wearing masks. | ||||||
| A parade due to run from 8am to 9.30am had not taken place. | ||||||
| The Orange Order appealed against the injunction, with an appeal court sitting in Belfast late at night and the outcome possibly known by morning. | ||||||
| The parade commission approved the Drumcree parade along the Garvaghy Road, the first time in almost 30 years it has been allowed to do so. | ||||||
| A legal challenge was being brought at Belfast High Court to try to prevent the parade. | · | · | ||||
| Police were gathering evidence from all parties. | · | · | ||||
| The Court of Appeal quashed the temporary ban, with the Lady Chief Justice saying the High Court judge erred in law, and later legal rulings allowed the parade to go ahead. | · | · | ||||
| The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Sir Chris Bryant appealed for calm and for political tensions to be lowered. | · | · | ||||
| About 200 extra police officers were being brought from Scotland to Northern Ireland over the weekend for contingency security planning. | · | · | · | |||
| DUP leader Gavin Robinson accused Sinn Fein politicians of being both legislators and lawbreakers. | · | · | · | |||
| The 1990s Drumcree dispute sparked some of the most serious rioting in Northern Ireland's history and almost derailed the peace process. | · | · | · | |||
| The Secretary of State said elected politicians should not support an unlawful protest. | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
ITV Evening News followed the legal move from the Parades Commission through to the on-the-ground standoff. Its reporting stressed that residents were seeking a last-minute ban, then later focused on protesters blocking the route and the risk to Stormont. The tone was urgent and human-focused, with correspondents at Belfast High Court and Portadown.
- “Residents are seeking a last minute ban.”
- “The parade was due to start at 8 a.m., but protesters blocked it.”
- “It seems there are serious questions now over whether or not Stormont can survive this.”
ITV News at Ten framed the dispute as a revival of the darkest days of Drumcree. It gave heavy weight to nationalist anger and to the risk that the row could fracture power-sharing, while also covering the legal decision that allowed the march.
- “The dark days of Drumcree.”
- “Who in their right mind thinks this is a good idea?”
- “It is in danger of fracturing the whole power-sharing government there.”
BBC ONE West gave a legal and procedural account, tracking the High Court challenge, the temporary injunction, and the late-night appeal. It also reported police preparations and the political split between Sinn Fein and the DUP, then later covered the blocked road and second-day stalemate.
- “A legal challenge is being brought at a court in Belfast to try to prevent a march tomorrow on one of the most contentious parading routes in Northern Ireland.”
- “And the High Court in Belfast has granted a temporary injunction”
- “Hundreds of protesters have blocked a road in Portadown in County Armagh to prevent a march by the Loyalist Orange Order”
BBC News concentrated on the late-night court drama and the legal reversal that allowed the parade. Its later bulletins noted that protesters had dispersed after blocking the route for more than a day, while some Orange Order members still planned to march.
- “after a series of hearings and appeals that ran into the early hours of the morning it was given the go-ahead”
- “Nationalist Catholic protesters in Portadown have dispersed after blocking a controversial Protestant Unionist parade.”
- “Some members of the Orange Order say they are still planning to complete the march.”
ITV News first reported that the High Court had banned the parade but that an appeal was still being considered. Later it moved to the standoff, stressing that hundreds of protesters had blocked the route and that the Secretary of State called it a policing matter.
- “Tomorrow's first Loyalist parade in decades down Northern Ireland's flashpoint, Garvaghy Road, has been banned by the High Court in Belfast.”
- “There is currently a standstill as hundreds of protesters have blocked the route in Portadown.”
- “The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland says he can't intervene, this is a policing matter.”
Sky News Mornings led on the successful late-night appeal and the fact that the parade would be allowed. It gave prominence to statements from the First Minister and deputy First Minister, setting out the opposing political positions before the march began.
- “members of the loyalist Orange Order in Northern Ireland will be allowed to march along the largely Nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown today after a successful late-night appeal overturned a previous ban”
- “Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan said the High Court judge who granted the injunction had unfortunately erred in law”
- “No violence or threat is there from the Orange Order.”
This political interview focused on government responsibility and calm. The Prime Minister rejected the suggestion that the government could simply overturn the decision, saying any intervention would need a recommendation from the Chief Constable that had not been made.
- “I've spoken to the Northern Ireland Secretary this morning”
- “We do appeal for calm on all sides.”
- “The decision would have to be made on the recommendation of the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. And that recommendation has not been made.”
Sky News Today reported live from Portadown as the parade was delayed despite court approval. It highlighted the First Minister and Sinn Fein president joining the protest, and carried their calls for the Secretary of State and Chief Constable to intervene.
- “The contentious Orange Order parade in Portadown delayed by protests despite being approved by the courts, with the first minister of Northern Ireland among those blocking the route.”
- “This is madness.”
- “The Secretary of State needs to intervene, the Chief Constable of the PSNI need to intervene and put a stop to this.”
This bulletin focused on the political row over the First Minister's presence at what police called an unlawful protest. It also reported that the Orange Order waited for police to clear the route and that the Northern Ireland Secretary left the Labour conference for talks.
- “Hundreds of protesters have blocked a road in Portadown in County Armagh to prevent a march by the Loyalist Orange Order”
- “The reason that the parade has not come down this road thus far is because you are here and we need you to stay the course.”
- “They have somebody who calls herself a First Minister for all, prepared to give a two-fingered salute to the rule of law and order in this country.”
The Wrap treated the standoff as a test for power-sharing and the peace process. Its correspondent described the blocking of the parade and the political recriminations, while studio discussion considered longer-term implications for Northern Ireland and a possible united Ireland.
- “There was a tense standoff in Portadown today after a contentious Orange Order parade was prevented from taking place.”
- “Dark mutterings about the stability of Stormont and power-sharing now, as grimly familiar here as a parade stand-off.”
- “I don't think any elected politician should be supporting an unlawful protest.”
5 News Weekend gave a short headline summary of the blocked parade and the court ruling that allowed it. It stressed the route's history as a Troubles flashpoint and the scale of the protest.
- “Thousands of protesters have blocked the Garvaghy Road in Porter down in Northern Ireland trying to stop a contentious Orange Order parade from passing.”
- “It comes after the High Court upheld a ruling allowing the parade.”
This lunchtime bulletin was brief and direct, reporting that the Orange Order had been stopped from marching and that a second attempt in the morning was stopped by police.
- “the unionist group, the Orange Order, has been stopped from marching down a largely nationalist street.”
- “They tried again this morning, but were stopped by police.”
5 News with Dan Walker provided an explainer-style report, using the route and the history of Drumcree to set out why the march is so divisive. It noted the reduced numbers allowed and the political criticism of the First Minister.
- “Only 35 Orange men were allowed to take part rather than 400, with strict conditions attached.”
- “But when Sunday morning came, thousands of protesters were already there, including the First Minister of Northern Ireland.”
- “This is the route that the Orange men want to walk down.”
The Context carried the latest on the continuing stalemate, noting smaller protests and that attempts by Orange Order members to start the march were stopped by police. It framed the dispute as unresolved and entering a second evening.
- “A stalemate is continuing in Northern Ireland in the dispute over a parade that was supposed to take place in County Armagh.”
- “attempts by small numbers of orange men to begin their march have been stopped by police.”
- “The Police Service of Northern Ireland has appealed for calm as this stalemate enters a second evening.”
Channel 4 News emphasised the scale of the protest, the late-night court ruling, and the political accusations traded between Sinn Fein and the DUP. It also highlighted the historical trauma of Drumcree and the presence of riot police.
- “thousands of protesters have blocked a controversial Loyalist Orange Order march from going ahead on a Catholic street in Northern Ireland for the first time in nearly 30 years.”
- “The DUP leader Gavin Robinson has accused the Sinn Féin politicians of being lawmakers acting as law breakers by ignoring the court ruling”
- “Garvaghy Road remains blocked this evening, with riot police on standby in case things escalate.”
Who was on air
People and organisations each channel put on air while covering this story. Channels' own presenters and reporters are not listed. Names as transcribed, and the list can miss people.
- 05:01 BST
Orange Order, Protestant Orange Order
“The Orange Order says they have nothing to fear.”
BBC News · Sun 27 Sept - 10:14 BST
Andy Burnham, UK Prime Minister
“I've spoken to the Northern Ireland secretary this morning and I don't think it's correct”
BBC News · Sun 27 Sept - 10:15 BST
Michelle O'Neill, Northern Ireland First Minister
“The Garvaghy Road residents deserve to live free from sectarian harassment and”
BBC News · Sun 27 Sept - 10:16 BST
Mary Lou McDonald, President of Sinn Féin
“So here we are, it's eight o'clock in the morning and there has been no orange march”
BBC News · Sun 27 Sept - 16:01 BST
- 16:02 BST
Donald Trump, President
“President Donald Trump has been speaking to reporters”
BBC News · Sun 27 Sept - 16:02 BST
Richard O'Connell, Assistant Chief Constable
“The Assistant Chief Constable Richard O'Connell”
BBC News · Sun 27 Sept - 16:04 BST
Gloucestershire Police, Gloucestershire Police
“That was Richard O'Connell from Gloucestershire Police.”
BBC News · Sun 27 Sept - 16:12 BST
Police Service of Northern Ireland, Police Service of Northern Ireland
“That was Jon Boutcher, Chief Constable at the PSNI,”
BBC News · Sun 27 Sept - 16:12 BST
Jon Boutcher, Chief Constable at the PSNI, the Police Service of Northern Ireland
“That was Jon Boutcher, Chief Constable at the PSNI,”
BBC News · Sun 27 Sept - 16:14 BST
Chris Bryant, Northern Ireland Secretary
“That's Chris Bryant, Northern Ireland secretary in the UK government”
BBC News · Sun 27 Sept
- 22:13 BST
Michelle O'Neill, Northern Ireland's First Minister, Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill
“The reason that the parade has not come down this road thus far is because you are here”
BBC News and Weather · Sun 27 Sept - 18:16 BST
Michelle O'Neill, Northern Ireland's First Minister
“I think it's right and proper that people stood with the community in Garvaghy over the”
BBC News · Mon 28 Sept - 18:17 BST
Police Service of Northern Ireland
“The Police Service of Northern Ireland has appealed for calm”
BBC News · Mon 28 Sept
- 18:36 BST
“The message from this community and from all of Ireland, I believe, is we are not going back.”
Channel 4 News · Sun 27 Sept
- 22:14 BST
Peter Wilkinson, former ITN cameraman
“When we arrived, it was all very calm”
ITV News at Ten · Fri 25 Sept - 13:32 BST
Michelle O'Neill, First Minister for Northern Ireland
“First Minister for Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill has been here to support the Garvaghy residents.”
ITV News · Sun 27 Sept - 22:26 BST
Michelle O'Neill, First Minister and Sinn Fein deputy leader
“The First Minister and Sinn Fein deputy leader, Michelle O'Neill,”
ITV News at Ten · Mon 28 Sept
- 06:05 BST
Michelle O'Neill, First Minister of Northern Ireland
“She says the Garvaghy Road community is completely horrified by the decision to force this unwanted”
Mornings with Jones and Melbourne · Sun 27 Sept - 06:05 BST
Emma Little-Pengelly, deputy First Minister
“The deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the Parades Commission and courts operate on a human rights”
Mornings with Jones and Melbourne · Sun 27 Sept - 10:15 BST
Chris Bryant, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
“No, look, there'll be lots of people in Northern Ireland who didn't sleep very well last night if they slept at all”
Sky News Today With Matt Barbet · Sun 27 Sept - 10:23 BST
Nuala McAllister, from the Alliance Party in Belfast North
“I think most people in Northern Ireland have woken up this morning in utter despair”
Sky News Today With Matt Barbet · Sun 27 Sept - 10:29 BST
Jon Boutcher, Chief Constable
“it comes from Chief Constable Jon Boucher, who has said that he is unbelievably proud”
Sky News Today With Matt Barbet · Sun 27 Sept - 16:10 BST
Jon Boutcher, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland
“I'm so grateful for all those people who brought sanity to the situation”
Sky News Today · Sun 27 Sept - 16:10 BST
Police Service of Northern Ireland
“I'm so grateful for all those people who brought sanity to the situation”
Sky News Today · Sun 27 Sept
- 17:20 BST
Michelle O'Neill, First Minister of Northern Ireland
“No right-minded person would make this decision. I still do not know the answer to this question.”
5 News with Dan Walker · Mon 28 Sept
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.