The DUP thread

[weareros]

When you see the state of the rabble behind Bryson outside the court yesterday, it was a who's who of bigots. Many of them were not born or were very young when the GFA was signed. Deplorable people who, if they put as much effort and energy into issues like housing, education, health etc. I don't think they have the knowledge or capability of being proper politicians, so they play to the only thing they know - trying to lord it over them'uns.

Sectarianism and bigotry is what  will trump housing, health, education etc  when it comes down to  attracting voters. And they'll go all the harder  the next few months to  entice out the knuckledraggers into  the polling stations.

Whether or not they get down the Garvaghy  road or not , the touch paper has been  lit. The bigotry has been rekindled and it has the potential to  bring everything back 30+ years.

I don't see any politicians on nationalist side that has the ability to make it about economy. Even on economy Unionists will say how much sea border posts costs, and no one is there to outline how much north's exports have increased to GB, 26 counties and EU since the protocol because of access to all markets. Unionists will say GB is their most important market, no one can counter than wealthier 26 counties trades more with GB, and GB is now only 10% of Ireland's trade because it's an open economy and not still stuck to a GB only mindset. Unionists will talk about being part of the 5th largest economy but no one hits back that north has the largest debt per capita in UK and is an absolute failed economy. Orangemen marching won't fix a £16 billion deficit every year, and will further add to it by driving up security costs. Time for nationalists to up the ante with economy.

[imtommygunn]

Do I recall correctly...about 10 years ago some politicians tried to start talks between the OO and Garvaghy residents.
The OO response was we'll take part  once the 1st item on the agenda is holding the 1998 parade.

They are talking about a resolution. The only resolution they see i them marching down the road.

I am sure I am not alone in saying this Drumcree stuff evokes a lot of memories and not good ones. It made the place very tense to live in and just reminds you of those poor wee Quinn children. Sickens me the whole thing but when you have Bryson, Lockhart and Allister then you have significant bigotry floating round and this is the kind of thing that con happen.

[Armagh18]

Again just playing bat for the other side here, as it's impossible to comprehend the thinking other than its been bred into them and fed constantly on drip since birth

They see the GAA (broadly see) as a sectarian sport for the RA (we know it isn't but hear me out)

They see SF as Republicans/ex IRA, hell bent of taking over their NI and making Ireland one again, in fairness that's what SF is about, SDLP is a Nationalist party with the exact same vision (one Ireland) but with the history of the recent troubles they were coming at it from a peaceful attempt

Irish language signs is another attempt at driving a nail in their coffin or Britishness 

Shoe on the other foot, we view the prods very much the same, Orange order, unionist political parties, PUL

The question I'm really asking is, are we inclusive? Or are we just fed up with the 100 plus years of being treated like second class citizens and its time to turn the screw..

This isn't a surprise but I can't see a united Ireland in my life time, and if we do and it comes with a reversal conflict to the one that happened before, it'll not be worth one death

What they see as their rights being oppressed is in reality just simple equality. Bloody Catholics getting equal vote and fair elections, bloody Catholics getting Irish street signs and a thousand other things.

[ClubScene13]

Humour me as I play devils advocate, are WE inclusive?

I get the triumphalism, I get the Orange order as a bigoted organisation, I know the knuckledraggers just want the hate to continue for their votes, but it will continue and fester providing there is constant division.. so what are the answers?

BTW I don't want them marching anywhere in the North   

Have you come across many Portadown loyalists?

These are the same people who only this year last month made formal objections to ABC Council opposing bilingual signage in the exact area of Portadown they want to march through:

https://armaghi.com/news/portadown-news/irish-english-street-signs-in-portadown-streets-backed-by-planning-committee-despite-orange-order-objections/304498

As you can imagine, the threshold for bilingual signage is much higher than in Belfast, with the overwhelming majority of residents in both streets in favour of English/Irish street signs. That wasn't enough for the Portadown District though, they'll be damned if the indigenous language/culture gets any visibility in the Orange citadel. Carla Lockhart herself even took a break from her MP duties to sit in on ABC planning committee meetings while thousands of ratepayers money was wasted in their attempt to block Irish language street signage.

https://sluggerotoole.com/2026/03/23/ar-mhaith-libh-gaeilge-council-refusal-to-erect-irish-language-signage/

These are the same people who at the start of the summer got in their cars, travelled to Scarva and donned masks to be "offended" and shout abhorrent abuse at a peaceful demonstration opposing the Gaza genocide.

If that's not enough, only last month they burnt an Armagh GAA flag on the kids' bonfire in Edgarstown (it's like an annual ritual in Portadown).

If you cast your mind back to a certain singsong in an orange hall, where were the perpetrators from? Good old Portadown.

You can't even wear a GAA shirt in Portadown: https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/catholic-man-attacked-in-portadown-for-wearing-gaa-jersey-KKSVVNUQEBBHXEVIJMBDV7H4YU/

These are the people who got in their cars and vans and drove over to Tesco in Craigavon under the cover of night to erect Loyalist paraphernalia in a mixed housing development:

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/armagh/news/families-flee-homes-after-20-masked-men-descend-on-mixed-craigavon-estate-to-erect-flags/a/157600737.html

These people are not normal. There should be no obligation to be inclusive of bigots. Unionism is a broad church but the OO does not represent all Unionists. Listening to these deranged bigots, they are convinced they have a right to parade where they want. I'm confident they'll not set a foot on the G Road and rightfully so.

Well said.

[Armagh18]

Humour me as I play devils advocate, are WE inclusive?

I get the triumphalism, I get the Orange order as a bigoted organisation, I know the knuckledraggers just want the hate to continue for their votes, but it will continue and fester providing there is constant division.. so what are the answers?

BTW I don't want them marching anywhere in the North   

Have you come across many Portadown loyalists?

These are the same people who only this year last month made formal objections to ABC Council opposing bilingual signage in the exact area of Portadown they want to march through:

https://armaghi.com/news/portadown-news/irish-english-street-signs-in-portadown-streets-backed-by-planning-committee-despite-orange-order-objections/304498

As you can imagine, the threshold for bilingual signage is much higher than in Belfast, with the overwhelming majority of residents in both streets in favour of English/Irish street signs. That wasn't enough for the Portadown District though, they'll be damned if the indigenous language/culture gets any visibility in the Orange citadel. Carla Lockhart herself even took a break from her MP duties to sit in on ABC planning committee meetings while thousands of ratepayers money was wasted in their attempt to block Irish language street signage.

https://sluggerotoole.com/2026/03/23/ar-mhaith-libh-gaeilge-council-refusal-to-erect-irish-language-signage/

These are the same people who at the start of the summer got in their cars, travelled to Scarva and donned masks to be "offended" and shout abhorrent abuse at a peaceful demonstration opposing the Gaza genocide.

If that's not enough, only last month they burnt an Armagh GAA flag on the kids' bonfire in Edgarstown (it's like an annual ritual in Portadown).

If you cast your mind back to a certain singsong in an orange hall, where were the perpetrators from? Good old Portadown.

You can't even wear a GAA shirt in Portadown: https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/catholic-man-attacked-in-portadown-for-wearing-gaa-jersey-KKSVVNUQEBBHXEVIJMBDV7H4YU/

These are the people who got in their cars and vans and drove over to Tesco in Craigavon under the cover of night to erect Loyalist paraphernalia in a mixed housing development:

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/armagh/news/families-flee-homes-after-20-masked-men-descend-on-mixed-craigavon-estate-to-erect-flags/a/157600737.html

These people are not normal. There should be no obligation to be inclusive of bigots. Unionism is a broad church but the OO does not represent all Unionists. Listening to these deranged bigots, they are convinced they have a right to parade where they want. I'm confident they'll not set a foot on the G Road and rightfully so.

He knows all that. He's being deliberately obtuse

[Milltown Row2]

No common sense is going to work it seems then

So all I can see is a return to protests and riots

Destabilising the place and allowing loyalist and dissenters to go at it while the innocents lose their lives.

And it will be everyone else's fault but their own. Rinse repeat

The grifters/bigots/hooligans will have their way

[general_lee]

Shoe on the other foot, we view the prods very much the same, Orange order, unionist political parties, PUL

Speak for yourself, I don't think like that at all. Unionism is a broad church and most people I've met from a traditionally Protestant/Unionist background are sound.

Not everyone from the other side goes to watch band parades or is a member of the OO, and even the ones that do aren't necessarily that into it. I dare say there are even a good few de facto Unionists in the GAA.

I know it's cliche but a lot of the younger ones aren't as entrenched in the tribalism, especially when they get their eyes opened after spending 3/4 years studying over in Britain (if they come back).

The question I'm really asking is, are we inclusive? Or are we just fed up with the 100 plus years of being treated like second class citizens and its time to turn the screw..

Who's we? I think the Fleadh was a good example of inclusivity, but then it wasn't or isn't "ours", it's everyone's. But it was Belfast at its best. When's the last time the city had a buzz like that? Do the Loyalists not get marching in Derry? In Newry? In Armagh? In Lurgan? In Keady? In Pomeroy? In Omagh? In Magherafelt? In Maghera? In Ballycastle?

Is the GAA inclusive? Absolutely, but hardline sections within Unionism f**king despise us and our games and everything about them no matter what the GAA does; it's the IRA at play and whatever else. f**k them, they're a minority anyway and I don't care about including them.

I think there's no getting away from the fact that GAA is massively popular in the north, when I was young you wouldn't dare step outside wearing GAA gear whereas now you can't go anywhere without seeing kids wearing their county or club colours. I think certain elements are struggling with that manifestation in day to day life in the north. 

This isn't a surprise but I can't see a united Ireland in my life time, and if we do and it comes with a reversal conflict to the one that happened before, it'll not be worth one death

We won't see a repeat. Loyalists won't have the state on their side. Loyalist paramilitaries haven't the capacity or capability to mobilise en masse like Drumcree, Anglo Irish Agreement, UWC strike.

Loyalism is confined to a handful of online propagandists spouting the same shite ad nauseam; I don't need to name them but they're on social media and all they can think about when they wake up every morning is Sinn Féin and the IRA. Their leaders aren't much better, in fact they're just saying out loud what their leaders can't. It's the blind leading the blind, a United Ireland is coming down the line at some stage and if you're lucky you'll still be alive and kicking when it happens.

[imtommygunn]

There is a very amplified minority among them. If people were that staunch the tuv would be making a massive inroad into the voter base. Though saying that Donaldson, now Shannon and even Wilson and Campbell and all of their antics will surely erode some voter confidence so the dup need a "win".

When the backs are against the wall they resort to the tribal drum which is exactly what this is.

I have to say this has sickened me. Drumcree was a disgusting episode which should have been left in the past. Who is behind this cretin Bryson. He is no asset to society and someone is platforming him for their own good. I still think it's possible not all is were dotted and TS crossed and it will make no difference. I would hope that to be correct. These people should not be allowed to win

[David McKeown]

The Parades Commission stuff is interesting. Media seem to be suggesting that the position was conceded on the basis the decision wasn't signed by all the Commissioners.

Whereas JB et al are suggesting it was a lot worse than that with Commissioners not making decisions but signing them anyway, secretarial staff committing perjury etc.

Be interesting to see which version is accurate

My reading is the ban itself still stands, but there will be a full review of the Drumcree decision process?

Fairly grim that all the unionist parties want to revisit Drumcree

Not my reading of the situation. JB is asking that the Order 53 be perused as if it were the finding of the court. That's not how it works. I'm not even sure if there is a judgement in this case other than on costs.

[weareros]

From BelTel:

Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant has expressed "serious concern" about the Parades Commission as he demanded answers from the body in the wake of a High Court ruling linked to the Drumcree dispute.

Earlier this week, Mr Justice McAlinden quashed a decision by the Parades Commission to impose restrictions on an Orange Order march at Drumcree.

The parades body adjudicates on contentious marches, and had blocked the Orange Order from marching along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown in July every year since 1998.

But after a case brought by a Portadown Orangeman, the judge was scathing about the commission's decision-making processes, accusing it of taking shortcuts and stating that "sloppy procedures are manifest".

Sir Chris Bryant met with with Commission's chair, Professor Evelyn Collins, and demanded a number of "written assurances" by the end of the week.

A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Office said: ""During their discussion, the Secretary of State expressed serious concern over the issues highlighted in the High Court judgment relating to the Orange Order's annual Drumcree parade.


"He reiterated his view that public confidence in the Commission has been damaged and needs to be restored."

Sir Chris asked for written assurances that all of the Commission's decision-making processes are fair and robust; that it acts independently and impartially at all times; and "has a credible plan to enhance public confidence across all communities".

The response was ordered to provide the assurances by close of play on Friday.

However, a DUP MP said that didn't go far enough, and reiterated the party's call for resignations.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said: "The Secretary of State rightly set the test as being the commission commanding the support of all communities.


"Unionism has been very clear: only resignations will suffice."

She added: "I am also calling for an independent investigation, ideally judge led, into the Parades Commission, its governance and structures and the legislative framework itself."

It came after the First Minister was accused of having a "blind spot" when it comes to the Parades Commission.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill with councillor Catherine Nelson and Finance Minister John O'Dowd
First Minister Michelle O'Neill with councillor Catherine Nelson and Finance Minister John O'Dowd  © Stiofán Bruce
DUP leader Gavin Robinson hit back after Michelle O'Neill accused unionist leaders of "triumphalism" and moving towards a "more extreme element" in the wake of a court ruling on Drumcree.


The Orange Order said it intends to apply for another Drumcree parade in the coming days.


Portadown district master Nigel Dawson said a "significant date" in the calendar may be chosen amid speculation it could be September 28, which is known as Ulster Day to loyalists.

Ms O'Neill visited residents of the Garvaghy Road on Wednesday, and said political unionism wanted to "revisit those dark days", referring to widespread disorder because of the tensions around the contentious march.

Speaking outside Drumcree Community Centre, she said locals are "anxious" about what the ruling might mean.

Orangemen during the 25th anniversary Drumcree parade in Portadown in 2023
Orangemen during the 25th anniversary Drumcree parade in Portadown in 2023 © PA Radar
"I think the Garvaghy Road residents have been crystal clear and firm down through the years over the last three decades. They do not want this parade down this road."

She also criticised the Orange Order and unionist leadership's reaction to the ruling.

"Why do the Orange Order want to push a parade down this road? Would it be acceptable to unionism and to the Orange Order for a nationalist or republican parade to walk through the Shankill Road? I would think not.

"What they can't fathom here in this community is why the leaders of political unionism want to revisit those dark days. Why do they want to bring that back into this community?

"That does beg the question: why is unionism limping ever more, or day by day, to the more extreme element of things in society?"

Gavin Robinson
Gavin Robinson  © PA Radar
Mr Robinson said it wasn't "triumphalist to expect that applications made to the Parades Commission should be considered properly, in line with legislation and without the inherent disrespect that was revealed during the recent application".

He added: "We often hear that the law should be applied equally, but Michelle O'Neill's blind spot when it comes to a legitimate application by Portadown District Lodge that was treated so dismissively, is revealing.

"She cannot wish away their rights, and nor should she try."

Speaking separately, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said it was "absolutely outrageous what came out" in court.

"We can't be in a position where we have the essential veto because of a refusal to engage, which was the case with the Residents Association refusing to engage, and that essentially didn't allow any progress at all," he said.

"So I hope there will be tolerance shown and I hope that that parade can return home again.

"But obviously things will need to go through the commission and I hope that they conduct their business very differently this time compared to how they have done it in the past."

Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows echoed calls from other unionists for the current Parades Commissioners to resign.

He said: "This was a withering judgment which exposed staggering incompetence in the exercise of an important statutory role. The commission did not even attempt a defence. It conceded."

"Confidence cannot exist in the current commissioners. They should resign immediately. If they refuse, the Secretary of State must remove them."

[tonto1888]

Shoe on the other foot, we view the prods very much the same, Orange order, unionist political parties, PUL

Speak for yourself, I don't think like that at all. Unionism is a broad church and most people I've met from a traditionally Protestant/Unionist background are sound.

Not everyone from the other side goes to watch band parades or is a member of the OO, and even the ones that do aren't necessarily that into it. I dare say there are even a good few de facto Unionists in the GAA.

I know it's cliche but a lot of the younger ones aren't as entrenched in the tribalism, especially when they get their eyes opened after spending 3/4 years studying over in Britain (if they come back).

The question I'm really asking is, are we inclusive? Or are we just fed up with the 100 plus years of being treated like second class citizens and its time to turn the screw..

Who's we? I think the Fleadh was a good example of inclusivity, but then it wasn't or isn't "ours", it's everyone's. But it was Belfast at its best. When's the last time the city had a buzz like that? Do the Loyalists not get marching in Derry? In Newry? In Armagh? In Lurgan? In Keady? In Pomeroy? In Omagh? In Magherafelt? In Maghera? In Ballycastle?

Is the GAA inclusive? Absolutely, but hardline sections within Unionism f**king despise us and our games and everything about them no matter what the GAA does; it's the IRA at play and whatever else. f**k them, they're a minority anyway and I don't care about including them.

I think there's no getting away from the fact that GAA is massively popular in the north, when I was young you wouldn't dare step outside wearing GAA gear whereas now you can't go anywhere without seeing kids wearing their county or club colours. I think certain elements are struggling with that manifestation in day to day life in the north. 

This isn't a surprise but I can't see a united Ireland in my life time, and if we do and it comes with a reversal conflict to the one that happened before, it'll not be worth one death

We won't see a repeat. Loyalists won't have the state on their side. Loyalist paramilitaries haven't the capacity or capability to mobilise en masse like Drumcree, Anglo Irish Agreement, UWC strike.

Loyalism is confined to a handful of online propagandists spouting the same shite ad nauseam; I don't need to name them but they're on social media and all they can think about when they wake up every morning is Sinn Féin and the IRA. Their leaders aren't much better, in fact they're just saying out loud what their leaders can't. It's the blind leading the blind, a United Ireland is coming down the line at some stage and if you're lucky you'll still be alive and kicking when it happens.

got to agree. I know a few who are studying the Irish language. A couple of them recently got their silver fainnes. One on work and another who actually done it with me. There are plenty of , I dont want to say decent but you know what I mean people from unionist backgrounds. Sadly its the bigots who are very much to the front and centre

[Milltown Row2]

Empty vessels make the most noise..

Whether its a small minority on socials drumming up hate and division, as seen every year in the estates that have the bonfires and the during the 12th parades, that core element will not go down without a fight

Having married a 'prod light'    her conversion wasn't easy, she may still have that little bit of prodyness way back somewhere I'm not convinced the 'decent prods' as you put Tonto will go into a AI unless there is an overwhelming majority that it would be  pointless putting up a fight

[MontyWM]

You cowards.

[Keyser soze]

Empty vessels make the most noise..

Whether its a small minority on socials drumming up hate and division, as seen every year in the estates that have the bonfires and the during the 12th parades, that core element will not go down without a fight

Having married a 'prod light'    her conversion wasn't easy, she may still have that little bit of prodyness way back somewhere I'm not convinced the 'decent prods' as you put Tonto will go into a AI unless there is an overwhelming majority that it would be  pointless putting up a fight

I like the irony MR.

[tiempo]

Empty vessels make the most noise..

Whether its a small minority on socials drumming up hate and division, as seen every year in the estates that have the bonfires and the during the 12th parades, that core element will not go down without a fight

Having married a 'prod light'    her conversion wasn't easy, she may still have that little bit of prodyness way back somewhere I'm not convinced the 'decent prods' as you put Tonto will go into a AI unless there is an overwhelming majority that it would be  pointless putting up a fight

The uber loyalists want their shot at a modern day stand, they'll invoke the Ulster Covenant (V2.0) at some point with a complete lack of irony that a century ago they sold out their own in Cavan Donegal Monaghan, in the end a tifo sized St Patrick will wash the snakes into the sea and back to Scotland where they can become hillbillies

I personally believe when Gerry Adams dies the whole uber loyalists thing will peter out, yes the likes of Bryson and others will stay beating a drum to the end only to line their pockets for the fear of a days work