{"id":643718,"date":"2026-10-03T15:30:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T15:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/643718\/"},"modified":"2026-10-03T15:30:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T15:30:09","slug":"rival-rallies-planned-as-drumcree-stand-off-enters-seventh-day-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/643718\/","title":{"rendered":"Rival rallies planned as Drumcree stand-off enters seventh day \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two rival demonstrations related to the Drumcree<\/a> dispute are due to take place in Portadown, Co Armagh on Saturday as a stand-off between the Orange Order and Garvaghy Road residents enters a seventh day.<\/p>\n

The impasse has been ongoing since the Parades Commission gave the green light for the first time in almost 30 years<\/a> for the Portadown District of the unionist Orange Order<\/a> to complete its traditional route along the Garvaghy Road.<\/p>\n

Marches in Drumcree in the 1990s often turned violent. <\/p>\n

A coalition of residents in the largely nationalist Garvaghy Road area is opposed to the march going ahead this year and took legal action, which failed, before starting a protest to prevent the parade from taking place.<\/p>\n

A fresh legal appeal by the residents is set to be heard in the Court of Appeal on Monday.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0From local row to peace-process shambles: How the Drumcree standoff developedOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has said a major public safety operation will continue in Portadown over the weekend while Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Bryant said he would \u201cespecially urge calm this weekend\u201d.<\/p>\n

I am concerned at the prolonged standoff in portadown which is ultimately in nobody\u2019s interests. I have been working with all those involved to find a mutually acceptable solution.
1\/2<\/p>\n

\u2014 Chris Bryant (@RhonddaBryant) October 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Bryant said a prolonged standoff in Portadown is \u201cultimately in nobody\u2019s interests\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been working with all those involved to find a mutually acceptable solution,\u201d he said in a post on social media.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m grateful to all those who have been and are engaging in dialogue. This is a crucial time for Northern Ireland and I hope people can still find further compromise.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeadership is never easy at moments like this but I commend all those who are trying to get to a solution.\u201d<\/p>\n

A rally on Garvaghy Road in support of residents has been organised for 3pm.<\/p>\n

A separate rally is scheduled to take place in the Edgarstown area at 4pm in support of the Orange Order.<\/p>\n

Sinn F\u00e9in politicians have been encouraging people to attend the Garvaghy Road demonstration, which has been dubbed the \u201cNo Going Back\u201d rally.<\/p>\n

This Saturday, the Garvaghy Road residents are holding a rally & call on people from across Ireland to stand with them in support of their right to live free from sectarian harassment & intimidation.<\/p>\n

There can be no Orange march forced down the Garvaghy Road.<\/p>\n

No Going Back! pic.twitter.com\/4juVWHi218<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Declan Kearney (@DeclanKearneySF) October 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Garvaghy Road residents are holding a rally and calling on people from across Ireland to join with them in support of their right to live free from sectarian harassment and intimidation,\u201d a statement from Sinn F\u00e9in said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s stand together. There can be no Orange march forced down the Garvaghy Road. No going back!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Orange Order rally, referred to as the \u201cLet Them Home Festival\u201d, is due to take place in Edgarstown from 4pm-8pm.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an opportunity to come together in support of the 35, while enjoying an afternoon for the whole community,\u201d Upper Bann DUP MP Carla Lockhart said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBring your family. Bring your friends. Come along and show your support peacefully and positively. Orange men wear your sash,\u201d she said in a post on social media.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0\u2018It\u2019s like going back in time\u2019 \u2013 after 28 years, communities stand off on Garvaghy RoadOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

Bryant, who chaired talks with both sides during the week that were unsuccessful in reaching an agreement, said his door remains open for further engagement.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Additional reporting from PA<\/p>\n