Sinn Féin councillor Catherine Nelson has accused the Orange Order of trying to “re-establish repeated unwanted parades” on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown, describing its latest Drumcree proposal as “a dangerous attempt” to reopen a “closed issue”.
Her intervention follows Thursday’s announcement by Portadown District LOL that it has applied to the Parades Commission for a heavily scaled‑down, silent church parade involving 60 men and no bands along the contested stretch of the mainly nationalist road on Sunday, September 27.
While the Order has insisted the proposal is “proportionate, inoffensive and wholly reasonable”, Cllr Nelson said the community’s opposition remains absolute.
Related: Orange Order bids for silent 60‑man Drumcree march along Garvaghy Road in Portadown
“The issue of unwanted Orange marches on the Garvaghy Road is closed,” she said.
“Today’s announcement from the Orange Order reveals their true intention, which is to re‑establish repeated unwanted parades on the Garvaghy Road.
“This march is steeped in a history of hate, sectarian violence, and murder.
“It is a supremacist march, and the only reason it wants to go down Garvaghy Road is because it is a nationalist area.
“The people of Garvaghy Road do not want this parade forced through their area. It is a non‑starter.”
Cllr Nelson said residents had enjoyed “28 years of peace” from Drumcree‑related parades on the road and warned that should not now be disturbed.
“They deserve to live in peace and to be able to get on with their lives, without this shadow of intimidation and fear hanging over them,” she continued.
“Twenty‑eight years of peace is not a problem that requires a solution. It is progress that needs protected.
“This is a dangerous attempt by unionist leaders to reignite the closed issue of an unwanted march on Garvaghy Road.
“Unionist leaders and the Orange Order need to respect the wishes of the people of Garvaghy Road and leave them to live in peace.
“Sinn Féin stands fully with the Garvaghy Road community.”
Portadown District LOL has already said that, even if the 60‑strong silent parade is permitted, it would not regard this as a final settlement, reiterating that its long‑term objective remains for the full District to be allowed to complete the traditional Drumcree church parade route. The Parades Commission will rule on the application closer to the proposed date.
