Portadown District LOL No 1 has lodged a formal criminal complaint with the PSNI Chief Constable naming Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald and First Minister Michelle O’Neill as “criminal suspects” over the weekend stand-off on the Garvaghy Road.
In a statement issued on Tuesday morning, the District said it had reported both women in relation to “four criminal offences, including under the Serious Crime Act 2007”, following what it describes as an “unlawful mob” blocking a Parades Commission‑authorised Drumcree parade.
Ms McDonald and Ms O’Neill were among those who joined residents on the Garvaghy Road on Sunday, as hundreds of protesters prevented the Orange Order parade from entering the predominantly nationalist stretch of road. Police later also blocked an early‑hours attempt by Orangemen to walk the route, despite the Commission’s determination in favour of the District.
Portadown District’s statement says “the rule of law has been hugely damaged” by the PSNI’s handling of events.
“The rule of law has been hugely damaged, and faith in the law continues to erode as the PSNI continue to facilitate an unlawful mob thumbing their nose at the legal determination and our courts. The impact of this cannot be underestimated,” it said.
“As a society, we must all be governed by the same law, and expect our rights under it to be vindicated. Ours have been denied, and despite having used the law and obtaining a clear determination in our favour, the message being sent now is that this counts for nothing, and instead it is those who break the law who are rewarded and prevail.”
The District warned that, if allowed to stand, the events of the weekend would effectively render the Parades Commission’s role meaningless.
“If this persists then in general, the rule of law collapses but in particular parading regulation collapses as any group, on any side, will know all they must do to override the Parades Commission is to put a mob on the street and the Chief Constable will wilt,” the statement continued.
“This is why two things are essential: firstly, the determination is upheld. The rule of law demands it; secondly, the lawbreakers are dealt with as a matter of urgency. This cannot be delayed, as to do so continues to incentivise illegality.
“We look forward to urgent actions both to uphold the determination and investigate flagrant criminal activity.”
The PSNI has already faced sharp criticism from Portadown District and unionist leaders after Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson confirmed officers had been “unable to allow [the District] their lawful right because of an unlawful and unnotified protest”, but said using the level of force required to clear around 1,000 people – including women, children and older residents – would have been “disproportionate” and risked serious injury and “inevitable” disorder.
Sinn Féin has rejected unionist claims of “mob rule”, insisting the protest was a peaceful defence of Garvaghy residents’ rights and describing the original Parades Commission decision to permit the march as “utterly reckless” and a challenge to the Good Friday Agreement.
Related: Senior police officer defends PSNI’s handling of the Drumcree stand-off
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