Residents have failed in their bid to challenge the Parades Commission’s decision to allow the Drumcree parade to walk down the Garvaghy Road in Portadown.
The ruling was made on the lawfulness of the decision and was not deciding whether the march should occur.
Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan said the ruling was made before Secretary of State Chris Bryant banned the parade.
Residents, led by Breandán Mac Cionnaith, argued the Parades Commission decision to permit the scaled-down parade down the Garvaghy Road was flawed and failed to consider the potential for disorder.
Nonetheless, the Court of Appeal threw out the challenge on Monday afternoon.
In an apparent joint statement, Portadown District, Jamie Bryson and Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart all posted: “Portadown District win on all grounds in Court of Appeal. In judgment by Keegan LCJ *ALL* grounds of Resident’s challenge held to be **UNARGUABLE**. Very significant protections put in place for traditional routes. Massive for ALL parades.”
Earlier today, Orange Order’s separate application to challenge the Secretary of State’s decision to ban the Drumcree parade was adjourned for a week.
The adjournment comes on the back of the PSNI’s Chief Constable, Jon Boutcher, was added to the case.
The case was adjourned until October 19.
More to follow.
