Sinn Féin has confirmed that a number of its representatives and party members have received correspondence from the PSNI in relation to recent protests on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown.
It follows a PSNI statement earlier on Thursday that officers were moving to the “next phase” of a large‑scale criminal investigation into alleged offences linked to the Drumcree/Garvaghy Road dispute, with letters now being issued to individuals about interview arrangements.
A Sinn Féin spokesperson said the party had “stood with the residents of the Garvaghy Road for the last two weeks in the face of provocation and the threat of an unwanted Orange march through their community”.
“Standing up for what is right is always the right thing to do,” the statement continued.
“Sinn Féin will continue to stand with the Garvaghy Road residents who should be allowed to live in peace and free from sectarian intimidation.
“Sinn Féin will continue to stand with the Garvaghy Road residents who deserve a future for their children that is free from fear and anxiety previous generations had to endure.
“From right across Ireland and the world, people have stood and spoken with one voice to protect 28 years of peace and to say clearly that they will not be dragged back.
“Because there is no going back. Not now. Not ever.”
Earlier in the day, People Before Profit’s Gerry Carroll also confirmed he was among those who received a letter from police.
“Standing up for what’s right is never wrong,” he said in response.
“I make no apology for standing with the residents of the Garvaghy Road. For almost three decades, this community has said no to a sectarian march being forced past their homes.
“When ordinary people peacefully stand together to defend their community that is not criminality. It is the same civil disobedience that won every gain working-class people have ever made, from the Suffragettes to the civil rights movement to the right to strike.
“The PSNI’s operation around Drumcree had already cost more than £3 million by last week. Now the state is pouring yet more resources into pursuing peaceful protesters. While patients wait years for treatment and families sit on housing waiting lists, it says everything about the priorities of those in power.
“I will now be seeking the advice of my solicitor. Standing up for what’s right is never wrong.”
Meanwhile, legal representative for the Portadown Orange District Jamie Bryson said his personal mobile number was published online, prompting what he described as a wave of abusive and threatening calls and messages.
“In the latest desperate act of abuse & harassment, some idiot has published my mobile number online (itself an offence) and urged hundreds of people to ring me and engage in abuse & threats,” he said.
“It’s remarkable how many people have actually used their own numbers to send death threats or other abuse as messages.
“It appears they are oblivious to the fact all of this is being reported and at least some of them are going to end up with custodial sentence.”
Mr Bryson said he would not be intimidated.
“It seems important to repeat again: you are never going to bully, harass or threaten me into silence. Nothing you do is going to make the blind bit of difference,” he added, saying he had changed his ringtone to ‘The Sash’ so he could hear it “each time the mob ring”.
Police have previously said they will not comment further while the criminal investigation into the Drumcree/Garvaghy Road events remains live.
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