Drumcree – what next?
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What is the legal status of the Orange Order’s right to march down Garvaghy Road?
The Claire Byrne Show on News Talk. With Aviva Insurance.
Now the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Bryant is set to face fresh demands to block any possibility of the Orange Order being allowed to march down Garvahi Road. The legal permission won by the Orange Order after lengthy court battles over the weekend To march from Drum Creed Church of Ireland to its headquarters in Portadown expired at midnight. I'm joined on the line now by Loyalist acting as a legal advisor to Port Down District Orange Lodge, Jamie Bryson, and Sinn Fein T D Louise O'Reilly, and you're both welcome. To the programme. Jamie, why is it after twenty seven years that you want to march down this this road?
The first thing I would like to just say, Claire, to collect is you said in your introduction that it expired at midnight. That is incorrect. The PS and I have confirmed to me this morning uh that it did not expire at midnight, that the policing operation remains live and the Port of Down district's position is that that determination still has to be enforced. So it's your So it's it's
your view that you can walk down there today or this evening at any time?
The police and operation remains live. The PSNI have turned back the Ported Down district because of safety concerns. So they're essentially marching on the spot at at the minute on the Ported Down district. Uh sorry, the Port of Line District are essentially marching on the spot. So once the PS and I are ready to do so, that has to be facilitated. They have are legally entitled uh to do so. Okay, so you
don't feel you have to go back and seek uh further permission. No, no, and
that's n the PS and I agree with our position on that.
Right.
Why does Jamie Bryson say the timing is right for a march after 27 years?
Well let's let's go come to the question then. Why after all of these years do you feel that now is the time to do this? When you saw what happened over the weekend and what could potentially happen if the march goes ahead. Why?
Well well firstly what we saw over the weekend, Claire may be very clear about this, was an illegal protest was elected politicians, including Michelle O'Neill, unlawfully blocking the road in defiance of the Court of Appeal and in defiance of a legally binding determination. So that's what we've seen. Secondly, the Port of Down district have applied every Sunday, fifty-two Sundays a year for twenty eight years. The issue was never closed, was never resolved, and they piecely peacefully and lawfully complied with each and every one of those determinations with which they venomously agreed. The first time in twenty-eight years they have legally secured the right to complete their traditional route.
Look what has happened and look how nationalism has responded to that. So the position here is very clear. This issue has been resolved. as a matter of law, the Ported Down district have won the legal right to walk down the street, and Sinn Fein and nationalism have unlawfully blocked the road and engaged in illegal activity to defy the courts, and that is where we sit this morning in Northern Ireland. So the mob faces off against the law.
All right, well let's bring Louise O'Ne Louisa O'Reilly in on this. Um Louise, I know you were there over the weekend and Sinn Fein have been accused, you heard it there from Jamie Bryson and indeed from others, of stoking the protest. And they've gone so far as to say that Michelle O'Neill should face the consequences of breaking that Northern Executive pledge to uphold the law. And the law says if you're going to block the road, you've got to apply to the Parades Commission or at least give them notice. What do you say to that charge? So the
How does Louise O'Reilly describe the community’s trauma and their demands?
The residents on the Garvahi Road were very, very clear and absolutely unequivocal. They do not want to go back to the trauma that they have suffered. In fact, the community still remains traumatized 28 years later. And it was they, the residents, that requested support on the Garvahi Road. And that was answered not just by Sinn Fein, but yes, by Sinn Fein there and in very, very large numbers and by our leadership, but also by the SDLP, by people before profit, by the Social Democrats.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the legal status of the Orange Order’s right to march down Garvaghy Road?
0:01–1:33
2
Why does Jamie Bryson say the timing is right for a march after 27 years?
1:33–3:20
3
How does Louise O'Reilly describe the community’s trauma and their demands?
3:20–5:31
4
Does Sinn Fein believe the law should be upheld or can it be defied?
5:31–6:48
5
What impact could the Garvaghy Road dispute have on a united Ireland?
6:48–8:23
6
What are the criticisms of the Parades Commission’s decision‑making process?
8:23–10:03
7
What practical steps are expected in the coming hours and days for the march?
10:03–11:49
8
What is the final call to action for the Secretary of State and the British Government?
11:49–13:50