Residents Coalition to appeal Parades Commission decision to permit an Orange Order parade on the Garvaghy Road
The Parades Commission decision to permit an Orange Order march on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown is to be challenged in the High Court.
The determination ordered that no more than 35 persons, including the five marshals, take part in the parade on Sunday September 27.
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However the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition is launching a High Court appeal asking supporters to attend the Belfast court at 5.30pm.
They are to hold a meeting at the Drumcree Centre afterwards to discuss the situation.
The last time an Orange Order parade went down the Garvaghy Road was in 1997. For several years it was the subject of intense controversy and led to violent rioting across NI.
In it’s determination on Friday afternoon the Parades Commission order that the Orange parade shall depart from its notified assembly point at Drumcree Church no later than 8am and shall disperse from its notified dispersal place, Carleton Street Orange Hall, no later than 9.30am.
Only the banner of Portadown District LOL No. 1 may be carried or displayed during the parade as it proceeds along any part of the Garvaghy Road. No other banners, flags or emblems shall be carried by participants in the parade.
No supporters shall accompany the parade during any part of its notified route.
No supporters shall congregate along the notified parade route, including but not limited to the vicinity of the notified assembly point at Drumcree Church, the roundabout at the junction of Dungannon Road, Moy Road and Garvaghy Road and St John the Baptist Church. In addition, no supporters shall congregate in the vicinity of homes on the Dungannon Road and Drumcree Road.
No bands may participate in the parade during any part of its notified route.
All participants in this parade must abide by the appropriate conditions of the Code of Conduct; and comply with police directions and act in accordance with legislation.
The Commission further re-affirms the importance of respectful behaviour in the vicinity of interface areas.
A spokesperson for the Commission said: “The Parades Commission has today issued a determination in relation to a public procession notified to take place in Portadown on Sunday 27 September 2026.
"The Commission decided to impose a number of conditions, including related to the size and timing of the parade and music. It did not decide to impose conditions related to the notified route of the parade.
"The decision was taken on the basis of detailed consideration of all of the information available to the Commission and the application of the applicable legal framework, including the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998. The Commission would like to thank all of those who made written and oral submissions to it.
"The Commission understands the public interest and concern in this matter. The determination sets out the reasons for the Commission’s decision, and the Commission would urge all with an interest in this matter to read it in full.
"The determination should not be seen as a victory for one side or as a loss for another. All of those affected by this matter are requested to avoid any actions that could increase tensions and to encourage others to do the same,” said the Parades Commission spokesperson.