This year's Co Armagh July 12th Orange parade has been switched from Killylea to Portadown, it was announced last night, writes Chris Anderson.
The County's Orange Grand Master, Mr Denis Watson, told hundreds of Orangemen of the move at a rally and parade in the town just hours after the parades commission announced it was banning this year's march down Garvaghy Road on July 4th.
The controversial Drumcree parade to the church and down the nationalist Garvaghy road, was held until last year, on the Sunday before July 12th. Last night's protest march against the commission's decision was accompanied by a number of loyalist bands along with most officers of Portadown District and the County Grand Lodge of Armagh, including County Grand Master, Denis Watson.
There was a significant deployment of police backed up by units of the British army along the parade route. Entrances to the nationalist areas of the Garvaghy Road were blocked by police in full riot gear supported by armoured vehicles.
Along one section of the march, close to the nationalist Obins Street units of the British army erected a number of temporary screens to prevent any possible confrontation between rival factions.
At the church the marchers were addressed by a number of speakers including Portadown District Master, Harold Gracey. Mr Gracey once again stated the Orangemens' intention to remain at Drumcree until they were allowed to parade the Garvaghy Road. He also urged those present to "remain calm and refrain from violence of any kind". Mr Gracey said he would remain at Drumcree "for another year if necessary".