{"id":637495,"date":"2026-09-27T10:34:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-27T10:34:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/637495\/"},"modified":"2026-09-27T10:34:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T10:34:15","slug":"dup-criticises-michelle-oneill-amid-tensions-over-orange-order-march-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/637495\/","title":{"rendered":"DUP criticises Michelle O\u2019Neill amid tensions over Orange Order march \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Main PointsKey Reads<\/p>\n

Stephen Conneely – 3 minutes ago<\/p>\n

The leader of the Alliance Party has said this weekend\u2019s events have been \u201call so utterly, utterly unnecessary and predictable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Naomi Long, who sits in Stormont, said her thoughts are with members of the PSNI \u201cwho are yet again placed in an impossible position\u201d. <\/p>\n

\"NaomiNaomi Long delivering her speech at the Alliance Party annual conference in March, 2025. Photo: Neil Harrison Photography\/PA Wire <\/p>\n

Alliance\u2019s deputy leader, E\u00f3in Tennyson, said \u201cpeople are in utter despair that this is where we are as a society this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReopening the Pandora\u2019s box of Drumcree has only caused huge hurt and has raised tensions to a level not seen in years,\u201d he said, adding \u201cwe cannot relive the past. We must be capable of learning from it and finding a way to move forward together. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cOur utmost priority must be the safety of all concerned. I am again appealing for calm, restraint and cool heads on all sides,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Stephen Conneely – 24 minutes ago<\/p>\n

WATCH: Breand\u00e1n Mac Cionnaith, head of Garvaghy Road Residents\u2019 Coalition, reacting to the overnight decision to overturn the ban on the Orange Order being allowed to march through Garvaghy Road. Video: Clodagh Kilcoyne.<\/p>\n

Breand\u00e1n Mac Cionnaith, head of Garvaghy Road Residents’ Association, reacts to the decision to overturn the ban on the Orange Order being allowed to march. <\/p>\n

Stephen Conneely – 54 minutes ago<\/p>\n

\"NorthernNorthern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant. Photograph: Oliver McVeigh\/PA Wire <\/p>\n

The UK government\u2019s Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has said he will arrive in Belfast this afternoon, adding he wished \u201cwe weren\u2019t in this position\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish we weren\u2019t looking at relitigating things of the past. But the court decided that the adjudication, the determination of the Parades Commission stood. So it\u2019s important that everybody abides by the law,\u201d Chris Bryant told the BBC. <\/p>\n

\u201cI can imagine that lots of people didn\u2019t sleep very well last night, not least because of course the court case was going on till very late into the night, till 2.30 in the morning,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cI know lots of people will be watching this very, very closely, including people who have long memories of things that happened 30 years ago, and people will be very nervous and anxious,\u201d he continued. <\/p>\n

He urged people in the Garvaghy Road area to \u201cco-operate with the police.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want everything to pass off as calmly as is possible,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m speaking to the police obviously on a regular basis throughout the day, and was last night as well, and so is my team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephen Conneely – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n

No violence or disorder thus far, says NI Chief Constable<\/p>\n

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has said the police presence on the Garvaghy Road has \u201chelped ensure there has been no violence or disorder\u201d this morning. <\/p>\n

\u201cI am immensely grateful for all those voices who have already called for calm,\u201d he said and urged \u201cthose with influence to encourage people to comply with the law and work with the police to keep everyone safe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have an evidence gathering operation in place to detect any offences and will continue to do this throughout today,\u201d Boutcher said, adding \u201cpolice are engaging and working with all parties and will continue to do so.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m unbelievably proud of my officers who, supported by mutual aid colleagues, are managing an exceptionally challenging situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is incumbent on us all to come together at times like this to do all we can to preserve a peaceful Northern Ireland,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Stephen Conneely – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n

\"DUPDUP leader Gavin Robinson. Photograph: Brian Lawless\/PA Wire <\/p>\n

The leader of the DUP, Gavin Robinson, has said Michelle O\u2019Neill has a \u201cduty\u201d to \u201cuphold lawful decisions, not inflame opposition to them\u201d as First Minister. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe rule of law cannot apply only when Sinn F\u00e9in likes the outcome. Our institutions are founded on respect for the police, the courts and the rule of law,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

Robinson continued: \u201cThe legal position is now unequivocal. 35 Orangemen can walk in silence along Garvaghy Road. The Court of Appeal found that the injunction had been granted in error, and the High Court subsequently confirmed that the Parades Commission determination must be respected.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYet Michelle O\u2019Neill described that outcome as \u2018disgraceful\u2019, claimed an Orange procession was being \u2018forced\u2019 through the area and declared, \u2018There is no going back. Not tomorrow. Not ever\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Orangemen of Portadown have conducted themselves with dignity and respect for the rule of law for 28 years and once again have demonstrated their maturity today.\u201d – Additional reporting: PA.<\/p>\n

Stephen Conneely – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n

The Irish Government has said it \u201cis monitoring the situation on the ground closely and will remain in contact with key interlocutors, including the Garvaghy Road residents.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Government is very concerned about the situation,\u201d it said in a statement, adding its \u201cprimary concern remains to avoid a return of the divisions of the past, recalling the significant progress made over many years in furthering reconciliation under the Good Friday Agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, British prime minister Andy Burnham has called for \u201ccalm on all sides\u201d, saying \u201cwe don\u2019t want to see things go backwards\u201d as there have been \u201cbig gains made in Northern Ireland\u201d.<\/p>\n

It is a \u201ctense\u201d and \u201cchallenging situation today,\u201d he said on the BBC\u2019s political programme Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, \u201cbut it\u2019s very important that we work to bring calm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Burnham said he had spoken to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Bryant, on the issue as well as Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin on Saturday \u201cbecause we work very closely together on all these matters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephen Conneely – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n

Michelle O\u2019Neill: \u2018This questions how peace process works\u2019\"MichelleMichelle O’Neill, First Minister of Northern Ireland, speaks to the media on September 27, 2026 in Portadown. Photograph: Charles McQuillan\/Getty Images <\/p>\n

First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill has said this morning\u2019s events \u201cbrings into question how this whole peace process works.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe progress of the last 28 years has been brought into question by the actions of the Orange Order and those within political unionism who want to drag us backwards,\u201d she continued. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve heard it here today,\u201d O\u2019Neill said while pointing in the direction of demonstrators, \u201cyou\u2019ve heard people\u2019s view of Stormont\u2026 in terms of politics working for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell you what does not belong anywhere in our community is an Orange march ram-roaded down against the wishes of this community, that will not be tolerated anywhere,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I see here is a community under siege, once again retraumatised,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

The First Minister said the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has \u201cserious questions to answer\u201d about this morning\u2019s events. \u201cI think their judgment is seriously in question,\u201d she said.andy <\/p>\n

The Parades Commission also has questions to answer, she went on. \u201cThis is something that we were told weeks ago was a procedural error\u2026 so, what has changed to change this determination?\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephen Conneely – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n

Mary Lou McDonald: \u2018Put a stop to this\u2019<\/p>\n

Speaking after the delay of the march, Sinn F\u00e9in president Mary Lou McDonald said people gathered on the Garvaghy Road because they are \u201cangry\u201d and \u201cdevastated at what has happened\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey cannot countenance the idea that anybody would seek to set this place back almost 30 years and revisit the trauma that this community endured,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re absolutely determined that this will not happen again, that there will be no way back, only steps forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"FirstFirst Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill (centre left) and Sinn F\u00e9in president Mary Lou McDonald (centre) at the Garvaghy Road. Photograph: Peter Morrison\/PA Wire <\/p>\n

McDonald called on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Bryant, \u201cto intervene\u201d and the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Jon Boutcher, to \u201cput a stop to this\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephen Conneely – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has dramatically told the Orange Order that it will not be able to march on Garvaghy Road in Portadown this morning, because there are too many Nationalist protestors on the road who are refusing to move, Mark Hennessy reports.<\/p>\n

However, it is unclear whether the PSNI instruction means that the march will not take place at all, or is to be delayed for some hours, though Nationalists on Garvaghy Road have interpreted the police decision as a complete victory.<\/p>\n

Nearly 1,000 Police Service of Northern Ireland officers equipped with water cannon are on duty in Portadown for the planned march by the Orange Order on Garvaghy Road, following a dramatic late-night clearance for the parade by the Court of Appeal in Belfast.<\/p>\n

Police began to move shortly before 7am into both ends of Garvaghy Road with a small number of PSNI Land Rovers, who issued warnings to Garvaghy Road protestors that they were in breach of 1998 marching legislation because they had not given notice of their protest march.<\/p>\n

\"ProtestersProtesters gather on September 27, 2026 in Portadown, Northern Ireland. Photograph: Charles McQuillan\/Getty Images <\/p>\n

More than a thousand local residents and supporters, including Sinn F\u00e9in TDs and People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy, are on the road, insisting that they would peacefully protest and that they would have to be moved by the police.<\/p>\n

Shortly after 7.30am, the small group of Orange Order members gathered at Drumcree\u2019s Church of Ireland church had talks with a middle-ranking officer, who outlined how the march would be shepherded along the road: \u201cWhen you tell us to go, we\u2019ll go,\u201d said one of the Order.<\/p>\n

However, this was dramatically reversed within minutes when the PSNI returned to tell the Orange Order that they would not be allowed to march because there were too many protestors on Garvaghy Road who could not be forced off the road – sparking fireworks in celebration from nationalists.<\/p>\n

Stephen Conneely – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n

Loud cheers erupted from the crowds on Garvaghy Road after being informed the Orange Order had left Drumcree.<\/p>\n

The cheers were soon followed by chants of \u201cBring Stormont down\u201d from some of the protesters. – Press Association<\/p>\n

Stephen Conneely – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n

Carla Lockhart, a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) member of parliament who has attended court proceedings this weekend in support of the Orange Order, has said \u201cthere is nothing to fear\u201d about the march.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no threat, no triumphalism, not even music,\u201d she posted on X alongside this photo of Orange men gathering.<\/p>\n

This dignified grouping of men, walking silently down Garvaghy Road is what Republicans are whipping others, many bussed into the area, to be afraid of. <\/p>\n

There is no threat, no triumphalism, not even music. There is nothing to fear. <\/p>\n

The rule of law must prevail. pic.twitter.com\/Y9rPRtdchY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Carla Lockhart MP (@carlalockhart) September 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Stephen Conneely – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n

\"BreandánBreand\u00e1n Mac Cionnaith stands in the front line of the protest on September 27, 2026 in Portadown, Northern Ireland. Photograph: Charles McQuillan\/Getty Images <\/p>\n

Breand\u00e1n Mac Cionnaith, of the Garvaghy Road Residents\u2019 Coalition, stands before a line of demonstrators, linked arm in arm, who intend to block the Orange Order from marching through the area. <\/p>\n

People have gathered in the area since the early hours of Sunday morning, not long after the Court of Appeals ruled that the march will go ahead. <\/p>\n

Stephen Conneely – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n

\"NationalistsNationalists protest against an expected parade on September 27, 2026 in Portadown, Northern Ireland. Photograph: Charles McQuillan\/Getty Images <\/p>\n

In the minutes leading up to the Orange Order march\u2019s scheduled start time, Marie-Therese Murray, whose 12-year-old son Darren was knocked down and killed after being chased by Loyalist demonstrators, was seen on the Garvaghy Road.<\/p>\n

Northern Correspondent Sean\u00edn Graham has some of what she said.<\/p>\n

Marie-Therese Murray protests on Garvaghy Rd. She holds a photo of her 12 yr-old son Darren, who was knocked down and killed 30 years ago after being chased by loyalists. She rarely speaks about her loss but felt she had to protest today for \u201cnext generation\u201d @IrishTimes<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ExbydcCmNj<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sean\u00edn Graham (@SeaninGraham22) September 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Stephen Conneely – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n

Demonstrators have gathered on the Garvaghy Road from the early hours of Sunday morning. They are planning to block the Orange Order from marching through the area. <\/p>\n

Ireland and Britain Editor Mark Hennessy is there now, where demonstrators are being told \u201corganising or taking part in the protest is committing an offence and is liable to arrest and prosecution.\u201d<\/p>\n

The warning from the Police Service Northern Ireland to Garvaghy Road protestors angry at the midnight decision of the Court of Appeal in Belfast to allow the Orange Order parade along the road for the first time in 30 years pic.twitter.com\/tTf8xQAEv6<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mark Hennessy (@MarkHennessy) September 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Stephen Conneely – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n

The Orange Order is to march down the Garvaghy Road this morning. What decisions have brought us here?<\/p>\n

35 members of the Orange Order is to march down the Garvaghy Road, a largely nationalist area in Portadown, Co Armagh, this morning for the first time in 28 years.<\/p>\n

Northern Ireland\u2019s Parades Commission has since 1998 not allowed the Order to do so following massive security operations and violent clashes between nationalist and unionist demonstrations in the 80\u2019s and 90\u2019s. Five people were killed in incidents linked to these tensions. <\/p>\n

But the Commission on Friday afternoon granted an application by the Order to march down the Garvaghy Road \u2013 a move that was quickly challenged in the courts. <\/p>\n

Belfast\u2019s High Court on Saturday evening struck down the Commission\u2019s decision, with Judge Patricia Smyth ruling the \u201clong-running dispute has the potential to escalate\u201d across Northern Ireland. <\/p>\n

But The Court of Appeals in the early hours of Sunday morning reversed this decision, allowing the Commission\u2019s initial decision to stand. Judge Siobhan Keegan said her judicial colleague had \u201cunfortunately erred in law\u201d. <\/p>\n