An Orange Order march set to go down a nationalist road for the first time in nearly 30 years is under question after the PSNI confirmed they could not facilitate the route.
It comes as thousands gathered since the early hours of Sunday on the Garvaghy Road, Portadown in an attempt to block the parade taking place.
Members of the loyalist Orange Order had been granted permission to walk down the road for the first time in almost 30 years.
A temporary injunction had been granted by High Court judge Patricia Smyth, however, the Orange Order successfully appealed the ruling.
In the early hours of Sunday, a new application to stop the parade was dismissed by the High Court.
Following the ruling, crowds gathered on the road to block the parade, which was scheduled to begin at 8am on Sunday.
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Shortly after 8am on Sunday, the march was confirmed delayed after the PSNI [police service of Northern Ireland] denied clearance.
RTÉ report that the 35 members of the Portadown district Orange Order had gathered outside the church in Drumcree just before 8am set to depart.
It comes following a morning of chaos for the people of Garvaghy Road, with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald addressing the residents at around 3am this morning.
Peace & progress must be protected.
Sinn Féin fully stands with the people of Garvaghy Road. pic.twitter.com/t5p2UFvL1t
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) September 27, 2026
‘We are all here for the one reason,’ the Dublin TD told the crowd. ‘And we are all here for the one purpose, and that purpose is that we say loudly and clearly and with one voice, “There are no second-class citizens on Garvaghy Road.”
‘We stand here firm. We stand on our dignity, we stand on all the qualities and strength that makes this an incredible community.’
Following the delay of the march, the DUP has branded the position of Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill as ‘untenable.’
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MP Carla Lockhart said: ‘We have had a seismic win within the courts. The law is on our side. That’s what they’re afraid of; 35 men walking peacefully down the road with no band, silently with comrades.’
As of 9am on Sunday morning, it has been reported that the PSNI informed the Orangemen they could not facilitate the march going ahead.
Belfast Telegraph Editor Kevin Scott reported that the Order have said the police need to enforce the law. A PSNI helicopter has been deployed.
* This article was origianlly published on Extra.ie.
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