06/07/2001

APPEALS FOR CALM AT DRUMCREE

THERE have been appeals for calm from the RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan in the run up the controversial Drumcree parade this Sunday.

Sir Ronnie Flanagan said that although he recognised the right to lawful protest, any unruly or violent behaviour would be dealt with “resolutely” by security forces.

Speaking on RTÉ radio on Friday he said that intelligence showed the main loyalist paramilitary groupings did not intend to engage in violence at Drumcree: “If people want to protest peacefully and lawfully, we will facilitate such protest. Bu the intelligence at the moment is that the paramilitary organisations, by and large, do not want to be organisationally involved in this.”

Nevertheless, on Thursday evening members of the Ulster Defence Association and their supporters staged a demonstration at Drumcree. A crowd of several hundred loyalists marched as far as army lines would permit at Drumcree in Portadown.

The crowd turned up in protest at the Northern Ireland Parades Commission’s decision to ban Portadown Orange Order members from walking down nationalist Garvaghy road. However the protest was only verbal and the crowds later dispersed.

Up to 1600 additional troops are in place as preparations were finalised for Sunday’s demonstration.

Northern Ireland Security Minister Jane Kennedy said that the world would be watching events in Drumcree this weekend: “There is concern about what could happen. So far the protests have been largely peaceful and I hope calm heads and cool tempers will prevail.”

Meanwhile the Church of Ireland Archbishop Robin Eames has said that efforts must continue to bring about a honourable settlement that will be agreeable to all sides. He called for both sides to engage in a wider forum to analyse all the problems in the Portadown area. He said: “There is an opportunity to move this problem forward and these efforts have got to continue.”

(AMcE)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

13 February 2012
Report Confirms School Closures
A new report has revealed that a number of schools within the Catholic maintained sector are to close. According to a report by The Commission on Catholic Education schools including St Gemma’s in Belfast, St Peter’s in Londonderry, St Mary’s in Belleek, Drumcree College, Portadown and St Eugene’s in Castlederg are set to close.
10 July 2006
Drumcree parade protest ends peacefully
The annual Orange Order parade at Drumcree on Sunday has passed off peacefully. Marchers handed in a letter protesting the decision by the Parades Commission to prevent the march from continuing into Portadown via the Garvaghy Road.
11 July 2005
Drumcree parade passes off quietly
The Orange Order parade at Drumcree in Co Armagh passed off quietly yesterday amid a low-profile security presence. The Protestant loyal order had been banned from parading from the church at Drumcree along the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown.
10 April 2006
Portadown church targeted in arson attack
A church in County Armagh has been targeted during an arson attack at the weekend. Shortly before 10am yesterday, a bin was pushed against the back door of the Church of Ireland church on the Drumcree Road in Portadown and set alight.
05 July 2004
Drumcree parade passes off peacefully
The army have begun dismantling security equipment after this year's controversial Drumcree parade passed off peacefully. Hundreds of Orangemen took part in Sunday's short march which was banned from passing down the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown by the Northern Ireland Parades Commission.