A stand-off between Orange Order members and nationalist protestors over the route of a controversial march through the village of Dunloy has ended peacefully.
Residents block the road in Dunloy, Co Antrim.
Earlier today, Orange Order members were prevented from travelling to a church to lay a wreath by the protest. The PSNI cleared a number of cars used to block a contentious section of the route, and riot police were deployed to the streets of the village.
Negotiations took place between police and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, resulting an end to the illegal protest by residents.
"Although it took some considerable time, we managed to get a peaceful solution," said Ballymoney's police commander, Superintendant Alasdair Robinson. He promised there would be an investigation into the protest.
Police said Orangemen had complied with a Parades Commission ruling that limited them to walking just outside their hall in the village, but protesters say the marchers intended to break the rules.
A police spokeswoman said: "The Lodge members wanted to travel by vehicle to a nearby Presbyterian Church to lay a wreath but were prevented by an illegal protest. Vehicles were used to block the road."
Local Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan said protesters suspected Orangemen planned to break the commission ruling and reform to march into the church.
"What they did last year, however, was they formed on the main street in Dunloy and had a march, what we contend was a march and played tunes. . . . That was never part of any agreement with the people of this village and it wasn't part of the Parades Commission determination," he said.
"The people of Dunloy have basically said this was unacceptable."
But a spokesman for the Orange Order insisted they had complied with the determination. John Finlay told BBC Radio Ulster: "The PSNI is happy to confirm what we did last year was totally within the law, the Parades Commission will also confirm that."