Drumcree Orange Order Parade Banned Amid Security Concerns

Belfast High Court heard the challenge. Mr Justice Scoffield found the Secretary of State's decision lawful, stating, "The Secretary of State’s decision was lawful and within the margin of discretion properly afforded to him, although it was highly regrettable it was required in the circumstances in which it arose."

The judge dismissed the substantive application for judicial review. Mr Justice Scoffield added, "The Secretary of State’s decision was lawful but the position which has now been reached has been brought about at very significant cost to the people of Northern Ireland, financially, through the diversion of police resources and in terms of community relations."

Jamie Bryson claims the Portadown district established a legal right to walk the Garvaghy Road and will exercise that entitlement.

This stands in stark contrast to a poll conducted immediately after the ban.

That poll found a narrow majority believed Sir Chris Bryant was right to prohibit the parade. It surveyed 1,019 adults online, indicating 53% of people in Northern Ireland believed the Parades Commission was wrong to allow the first Orange Order parade along the Garvaghy Road in almost 30 years.

The Drumcree dispute has historically led to volatile stand-offs between Orangemen and nationalist residents. First Minister Michelle O’Neill has attended voluntary interviews with police regarding alleged breaches of the Parades Commission determination.

Political support for Sinn Féin increased from 25% in July to 30% in October. The DUP saw a rise from 17% to 18% in the same period.

A significant 82% of respondents in the poll emphasised the critical importance of ending the dispute without violence.