Coronavirus: Drumcree protests suspended for first time in 19 years amid pandemic fears

The Orange Order district master of Portadown has said the long-running Drumcree protest has been put on ice, as he gave his full support to the decision of the Orange leadership to mothball parades on the Twelfth.
By Adam Kula
Published 7th Apr 2020, 06:00 BST
07/12/2014: Portadown Orangemen mark 6,000 days of their protest at Drumcree. They have been prevented from parading from Drumcree church to Carleton Street Orange Hall in the town centre since the traditional return procession was banned by the Parades Commisson in July 1998.07/12/2014: Portadown Orangemen mark 6,000 days of their protest at Drumcree. They have been prevented from parading from Drumcree church to Carleton Street Orange Hall in the town centre since the traditional return procession was banned by the Parades Commisson in July 1998.
07/12/2014: Portadown Orangemen mark 6,000 days of their protest at Drumcree. They have been prevented from parading from Drumcree church to Carleton Street Orange Hall in the town centre since the traditional return procession was banned by the Parades Commisson in July 1998.

Darryl Hewitt said that people “would never forgive themselves” if the Twelfth had gone ahead as planned and there was then a spike in virus cases afterwards.

He also revealed that, as of three Sundays ago, Orangemen have ceased their practice of meeting regularly to protest against restrictions on their Portadown parade.

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The protests date back to July 1998, when Orangemen were barred from the nationalist/republican-dominated Garvaghy Road in the Co Armagh town.

March 2012: 5,000 days of protest marked by Orangemen at DrumcreeMarch 2012: 5,000 days of protest marked by Orangemen at Drumcree
March 2012: 5,000 days of protest marked by Orangemen at Drumcree

Ever since, regular demonstrations have seen perhaps a couple of dozen Orangemen at a time make a symbolic effort to walk their intended route, by proceeding from rural Drumcree church down the road, where they come to a halt.

The only other time they have been stopped the protest was for three weeks during the foot-and-mouth crisis of 2001, said Mr Hewitt.

He added that he support’s the Order’s decision to axe processions on the Twelfth, adding that it is already impractical to organise it.

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“Boys can’t meet to get arrangements made for the Twelfth,” he said.

“Even if it was the end of May [when restrictions are lifted], it is difficult to organise the Twelfth in six weeks.

“I think the Grand Lodge have done exactly the right thing.

“Discretion is the better part of valour.”

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