Understand
Drumcree talks resume at Hillsborough as Orange Order and GRRC delegations meet
Overview
Representatives from the Portadown Orange Order and the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition (GRRC) have arrived separately at Hillsborough Castle for talks with the Secretary of State regarding the Drumcree parading dispute. The discussions follow a recent court ruling allowing a parade, which led to protests on the Garvaghy Road. A government-proposed document suggesting the Orange Order have a legal right to walk the route but choose not to do so has been removed from the table after being dismissed by the Orange Order. Meanwhile, a legal bid by the GRRC to prevent the march has been postponed until Monday, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that the policing operation for the dispute has cost approximately £3 million so far.
Key points
- Portadown Orange Order and GRRC representatives arrived separately at Hillsborough Castle for talks mediated by the Secretary of State.
- A legal challenge by the GRRC to block the march has been postponed until Monday to allow for ongoing discussions.
- A government discussion document proposed that the Orange Order acknowledge their legal right to march but voluntarily choose not to use the Garvaghy Road route, though the Orange Order deemed it unhelpful and it was removed from the table.
- PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher stated that the policing operation for the dispute has cost about £3 million to date, noting that tensions are high but there has been no violence.
- Sinn Féin leaders Michelle O'Neill and Deirdre Hargey faced scrutiny and investigations over participation in Sunday's protests on the Garvaghy Road.