Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for calm as tensions rise in Northern Ireland over plans for an Orange Order parade to pass through a nationalist area. The Drumcree parade, previously banned since 1998 due to violent clashes during the Troubles, is now permitted by legal rulings despite community concerns. Burnham appealed for cooperation with police and emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, while First Minister Michelle O’Neill expressed worry that the event could undermine the progress made in Northern Ireland over the past three decades.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-27,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On September 27, the Parades Commission allowed the Orange Order's Drumcree parade to proceed along Garvaghy Road for the first time in almost 30 years. The commission restricted the number of participants to 35 people, starting at 8 am, and required them to disperse by 9:30 am from Carleton Street Orange Hall, with only the Portadown District banner allowed during this stretch. No supporters or bands were permitted along the parade route near residents' homes on Dungannon Road and Drumcree Road.
The decision drew mixed reactions; DUP hailed it as a breakthrough while Sinn Féin condemned it strongly, viewing it as forcing an Orange march through the community. Garvaghy Road residents had been vehemently opposed to such parades during the 1990s Troubles era, leading to violent clashes and political tension necessitating significant security measures.
Following an unprecedented late-night court hearing concluding at 2:15 am, Justice Michael Humphreys upheld the commission's ruling. Crowds gathered in Portadown early Sunday morning, with many wearing balaclavas, awaiting the parade amidst heavy rain and tense conditions. The hearing acknowledged the unusual circumstances but maintained respect for public bodies' decisions.
Concerns were raised that this go-ahead could disrupt agreements at other flashpoint areas across Northern Ireland, signaling potential challenges to maintaining peace in former conflict zones.
Written for “Drumcree Parade Decision” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 59 other(s) covering the same event.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appealed for calm on all sides amid plans for an Orange Order parade to pass through a predominantly nationalist area of Northern Ireland for the first time in decades.
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parade → appeal → decades
The Drumcree parade, which was associated with violent clashes during the Troubles, has been banned since 1998.
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which → associate → 1998
Amid the community tensions, the Prime Minister told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg there have been “big gains made in Northern Ireland, and we don’t want to see things go backwards”.
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things → tell → Ireland
“I know it’s a tense situation.
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it → know → ?
We do appeal for calm on all sides,” he told the programme.
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he → appeal → programme
The Prime Minister added: “So, obviously, a challenging situation today, but it’s very important that we work to bring calm.”
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we → add → calm
Sir Chris also told the BBC he wished “we weren’t in this position”, adding: “I 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.
“So the number one thing I think is people should co-operate with the police.
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people → tell → police
I want everything to pass off as calmly as is possible.
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everything → want → ?
“I’m speaking to the police obviously on a regular basis throughout the day, and was last night as well, and so is my team.”
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team → speak → day
First minister of Northern Ireland, and Sinn Féin vice-president, Michelle O’Neill said the reignition of the Drumcree dispute “brings into question how this whole peace process works”.
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process → say → question
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She spoke from the Garvaghy Road alongside protesters who had gathered to block the parade.
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who → read → parade
Ms O’Neill added: “The progress of the last 28 years have been brought into question by the actions of the Orange Order and those within political unionism that want to drag us backwards, and I think that brings into question – you heard it here today.
“
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you → add → it
You heard it about the people’s view of Stormont.
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You → hear → Stormont
You heard it about the terms of politics working for them, and you hear it here time and time again and we’ve certainly heard it over the last 24 hours.
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we → hear → hours
“What’s the point?
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point → ’ → ?
What’s the point whenever people are going to railroad over their rights?
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people → ’ → rights
“Whenever they’re going to try to roll back in 28 years of progress?”
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they → go → progress
DUP leader Gavin Robinson meanwhile said Ms O’Neill should “uphold lawful decisions, not inflame opposition to them”.
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O’Neill → say → them
Mr Robinson said: “The legal position is now unequivocal.
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position → say → ?
Thirty-five Orangemen can walk in silence along Garvaghy Road.
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Orangemen → walk → 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.”
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determination → find → error
He added: “A First Minister’s duty is to uphold lawful decisions, not inflame opposition to them.
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duty → add → them
The rule of law cannot apply only when Sinn Féin likes the outcome.
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Féin → apply → outcome
Our institutions are founded on respect for the police, the courts and the rule of law.
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institutions → found → law
“The 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.”
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Orangemen → conduct → maturity
Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris also cautioned against the decision by First Minister Ms O’Neill, and Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald, to join the protest.
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Chris → caution → protest
“I don’t think any elected politician should be supporting an unlawful protest,” he told Sky News.
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he → think → News
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