An Orangeman involved in the long-running Drumcree marching dispute today attended a session of a peace forum in Dublin that was boycotted by Unionist parties.
Portadown District Lodge member Mr Ian Milne attended the second session of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation involving parties from Northern Ireland and the Republic, including Sinn Féin.
Mr Milne did not speak to reporters ahead of the session in Dublin Castle but was expected to put the case of the Portadown District to nationalist and cross-community politicians taking part.
Portadown Orangemen have refused to engage in direct talks with nationalist residents from the Garvaghy Road during the Drumcree dispute.
The Orange Order has been barred from marching from Drumcree Parish Church every July since 1998.
Mr Milne was one of a number of speakers lined up to put the unionists' perspective to the Forum in the absence of Mr David Trimble's Ulster Unionist Party and the loyalist Progressive Unionists.
Former Ireland rugby international and pro-Agreement UUP member MR Trevor Ringland, academic Mr Paul Bew and newspaper columnist Mr Roy Garland were also due to take part.
Among those attending today's session were Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams, nationalist SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Cowen.
PA