It Must be Marching Season

[brokencrossbar1]

A solicitor for Garvaghy Road residents has said the Orange Order must now apply for a new Drumcree parade after thousands of nationalists blocked their route on Sunday.

Darragh Mackin, of Phoenix Law, said the Orange Order will have to submit a fresh application as the clock on the original notification has run down.

"This isn't just us saying this, they said it to the Court of Appeal on Saturday night," he said.

"The determinations are time-specific, and therefore when they lapse you must reapply.


"Whilst they can allow for a margin of appreciation to cater for the unprecedented events, it does not result in the time-limited determination extending it indefinitely.

"For the very same reasons the Orange Order's lawyers argued on Saturday night, the game is now up, a fresh application must be made."

"What's good for the goose is good for the gander."

However, loyalist activist Jamie Bryson said the Orange Order still has a legal right to march the Garvaghy Road.

"And that is the PSNI's position as well," he said.

"I spoke to the PSNI and their position is that they have turned back the parade so as a matter of law the parade formed up at 8am on Saturday morning and essentially as a matter of law has been marching on the spot since at the direction of the PSNI," he said.

"The only way by which that determination can be set aside is if the PSNI refer to the Secretary of State or if the Secretary of State intervenes of its own volition to set it aside," he told the BBC.

There was a heavy police presence in the Portadown area after the Parades Commission gave the controversial parade the go-ahead last week.

As part of its controversial determination, the commission gave permission for 35 Orange Order members to walk silently along the length of the route through the nationalist district.

The parade was ordered to begin at 8am and end by 9.30am on


An application by residents to hold a protest involving 5,000 people had earlier been withdrawn as court proceedings played out.

In total, three different court sittings, including one by the Court of Appeal, were held on Saturday and early Sunday.

By daybreak on Sunday, thousands of people gathered at strategic points along the route through the nationalist district, meaning the Orange march could not proceed.

Protesters dispersed at around midnight after being told that a fresh process to address the dispute was being initiated

A new application needed it would seem. Jamie Bryson v Darragh Mackin....who wins that fight?

From my reading of the legislation and the case law I don't agree with Darragh but he's a very good lawyer and I've been wrong before and no doubt will again.

There is an argument there but my two concerns is why would it be limited to the day and not the prescribed times and two if that was correct all that would have to happen is you delay a parade by sometimes as little as a few hours and then it can't take place without a full reconsideration. That seems unlikely to have been the intent of the legislation.

It does seem strange that the determination would just fall like that but not everything makes sense.

To my mind the OO and political people behind it thought the PSNI would just force it through,  that world has thankfully gone (or at least I hope it has). Views are becoming more entrenched and it is a very dangerous period and it would be better served with some stepping back by all involved. But this is unlikely

[quit yo jibbajabba]

Mckeown. Bryson. Mackin. Bcb1. This is like our OJ guys, I'm just glad I'm here for it 🤓😎

[gallsman]

I think some of the old farts in the Portadown LOL might have thought they'd get down, but I doubt if Bryson or Lockhart did at, or if they cared.

This standoff is a much, much bigger PR/rabble rousing opportunity from their point of view.

[Armamike]

It keeps Bryson and Lockhart in the spotlight, which is what they crave probably.

There's no way in this day and age that the police could ever start to move a 1000 people or more by force.  That's just not going to happen for various reasons.

[imtommygunn]

Yeah I don't think there will be any stepping back. I still suspect they will get down that road. This could go on for quite a while though I am sure residents have lives to get on with.

There are many many questions need asked here. How tf has this shit show been allowed to happen. Again.

[Armamike]

If people continue to block the roads in huge numbers, how will the march go ahead?

[Armagh18]

Emma Sheerin calling the march out what it is today

[imtommygunn]

If people continue to block the roads in huge numbers, how will the march go ahead?

How long are they going to do that for though? People have jobs to go to and lives to lead.

(Not the politicians or the old orange order boys)

[tonto1888]

Emma Sheerin calling the march out what it is today

that was superb

[square_ball]

Belfast Tel reporter Kevin Scott hearing that the march will happen today:

Sources close to the District tell me after several meetings this morning, they are confident the parade will get down the road this afternoon.
The approaches to lines here have reduced since the last parade was stopped.
Crowds have grown again significantly on the Garvaghy Road.
PSNI Superintendent Brendan Green assured the District that he has the resources to keep them safe here at the church.
In the past hour videos have circulated showing PSNI vehicles heading in large numbers towards Portadown.
Police have made several assessments on the situation, but the standoff continues.

[Armagh18]

Belfast Tel reporter Kevin Scott hearing that the march will happen today:

Sources close to the District tell me after several meetings this morning, they are confident the parade will get down the road this afternoon.
The approaches to lines here have reduced since the last parade was stopped.
Crowds have grown again significantly on the Garvaghy Road.
PSNI Superintendent Brendan Green assured the District that he has the resources to keep them safe here at the church.
In the past hour videos have circulated showing PSNI vehicles heading in large numbers towards Portadown.
Police have made several assessments on the situation, but the standoff continues.

No way it happens without cops getting heavy handed. Let's see where we go if that happens but it won't be good.

[Harold Disgracey]

https://x.com/fpltitan/status/2104566697005043914?s=46&t=-RtN7OejGwUG18OE0ELvdA

Disgraceful comment from Naomi Long.

[Armagh18]

https://x.com/fpltitan/status/2104566697005043914?s=46&t=-RtN7OejGwUG18OE0ELvdA

Disgraceful comment from Naomi Long.

Horrible ****. True colours shown now.

[Armamike]

That's pretty poor taste.

[Rossfan]

https://x.com/fpltitan/status/2104566697005043914?s=46&t=-RtN7OejGwUG18OE0ELvdA

Disgraceful comment from Naomi Long.

Appalling!