`Disappointment' for Orange Order

Orangemen in Portadown, Co Armagh, have said they are, "disappointed" that a Parades Commission ruling has prevented them from…

Orangemen in Portadown, Co Armagh, have said they are, "disappointed" that a Parades Commission ruling has prevented them from parading along the Garvaghy Road next Sunday.

In a statement, the Portadown Orange District said it had made attempts to resolve the Drumcree impasse since July 1998. These had been vetoed by the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition, who, according to the Orangemen had, "walked away" from each meeting.

The statement also criticised Mr Tony Blair saying, "we regret that commitments made privately to us were not delivered publicly."

It also said Mr Blair had told the Orangemen last July that given more time he could have "envisaged" a traditional Orange parade taking place on the Garvaghy Road.

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The statement said the Parades Commission determination for next Sunday acknowledged that the annual Drumcree parade and church service was traditional.

The order called on the commission to issue a positive determination in respect of this year's Drumcree parade on Sunday July 9th. However, the Sinn Fein Upper Bann MLA, Dr Dara O'Hagan has said the decision to ban Sunday's Orange march from the Garvaghy Road was the only logical decision which could have been taken by the Parades Commission.

Dr O'Hagan said the only way in which the Drumcree impasse could be resolved was through dialogue. "Yesterday's decision was the correct one," said Dr O'Hagan.

"It is the only possible decision which could have been made given the Orange Order's refusal to talk to representatives of the Garvaghy Road residents".

The Parades Commission has also imposed restrictions on other parades due to take place in Bellaghy, Downpatrick and Lurgan at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Northern Secretary Mr Peter Mandelson has said local agreement is the best way to resolve marching disputes, but where agreement does not exist decisions by the Parades Commission must be accepted.

Mr Mandelson said people should approach the Drumcree period with cool heads and try to resolve differences in a "calm and peaceable way". Over 1,000 British troops are being flown into the North to boost security levels for the marching season.

Army headquarters in Lisburn confirmed that two battalions of soldiers would be in place before the Orange Order Drumcree parade on Sunday. An army spokesperson said the move was part of "prudent contingency plans" surrounding the marching season.