Fear that Garvaghy Road march go-ahead could ‘unravel’ other former flashpoints

Concern has been expressed that the go-ahead for the first Orange Order parade along the Garvaghy Road in almost 30 years could “unravel” deals at other former flashpoint areas.

While the Parades Commission considers an application for the Drumcree parade to finish its traditional route, eleven residents groups across Northern Ireland have expressed solidarity with Garvaghy Road residents.

The Drumcree stand-off dominated headlines in the 1990s, as nationalist residents of the Garvaghy Road were resolutely opposed to the parade passing through the area, leading to violent clashes for several summers and political tension necessitating a major security operation.

Loyalists confront riot police during the stand-off at Drumcree Church, in Portadown in the 1990s (PA)

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There were similar tensions at a number of other areas where residents said Orange Order parades were not welcome.

Representatives from eleven residents’ groups from those areas have expressed concern that “further demands” could emerge if the Drumcree parade gets the nod.

In a statement the group, including the Bogside Residents Association, Lower Ormeau Concerned Community and Crumlin and Ardoyne Residents Association, said they have been dealing with contentious Loyal Order and band parades over the past three decades.

“We have invested a lot of time and energy in upholding the rights of local residents to live free from sectarian intimidation, while developing accommodations around parades through Nationalist/Catholic areas,” they said.

“Our concern is that such accommodations could unravel if the Orange Order continue to insist on parading down Garvaghy Road, or indeed pursue the same demands in other Nationalist/Catholic areas.”

The statement from the groups, which also include the Springfield Residents Action Group, Castlederg Residents Association and Rasharkin Residents Association, said residents have demonstrated a “genuine and indeed generous approach in reaching such accommodations”.

They added: “We believe that there needs to be reciprocation in their approach from the Orange Order.

“We pledge our full support and solidarity with the residents of Garvaghy Road, in their determination to be free from unwanted and intimidatory Orange Order parades through their area.”

The commission is to rule later this week on an application for 60 Orange Order members to take part in a proposed Drumcree parade on September 27.

The body, which adjudicates on contentious parades in Northern Ireland, was heavily criticised by unionist politicians and the Orange Order after a High Court ruling last month that quashed its most recent determination over the Drumcree parade.

The Parades Commission has blocked the order from marching along the Garvaghy Road in July every year since 1998.