High Court Quashes Drumcree Parade Restrictions
Ruling Cites Procedural Failings in Parades Commission's Decision on Orange Order March
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
The High Court in Belfast has overturned restrictions on the annual Orange Order parade at Drumcree in Portadown.
The decision quashed a Parades Commission ruling that had imposed limitations on the march, reportedly banning Portadown Orangemen from making their return parade from a church service at Drumcree.
A Portadown Orangeman initiated the legal challenge, focusing on the commission's procedural integrity.
The court was informed the determination had not been considered in its final form by all commission members.
John Larkin KC claimed the agreed determination had been sent to commissioners “essentially for information purposes,” citing internal WhatsApp messages from the commission.
Tony McGleenan KC confirmed a concession was made last week regarding the procedural point, acknowledging the determination's incomplete consideration by all commissioners.
The Parades Commission has reportedly been ordered to pay the costs associated with the hearings.
Mr Justice McAlinden stated, "Public administration must have the confidence of the public and that means that when errors are made, when shortcuts are taken, when sloppy procedures are manifest, those issues come to the public knowledge and appropriate corrections are made within that administrative body to ensure that such behaviour does not occur again."
Carla Lockhart described the court ruling as “absolutely seismic,” demanding accountability from the Parades Commission.
Lockhart further claimed that if the commission members do not resign, a clear obligation falls on the Secretary of State to remove them from office; she is writing to him today to request this process commence immediately.
She also asserted the commission cannot be permitted to investigate itself, proposing a review should actively consider the abolishment of the Parades Commission.
The outcome of the Drumcree legal challenge represents a 'totemic victory' that has exposed the collapse of confidence in the Parades Commission within the unionist community.
Gavin Robinson stated the outcome of the Drumcree legal challenge represents a "totemic victory" that has exposed the collapse of confidence in the Parades Commission within the unionist community.
The Orange Order had historically used the Garvaghy Road route as part of its traditional march every year on the last Sunday before 12 July.
In 1998, approximately 1,000 police and 1,000 soldiers were deployed to enforce the Parades Commission's decision.
During this disorder, three children were killed in an arson attack on their home in Ballymoney, County Antrim.
The Portadown District Lodge has been denied permission by the Parades Commission to march down the Garvaghy Road every year since 1998, with exceptions such as during the Covid pandemic.
Any future parade along the Garvaghy Road will necessitate a new application to the Parades Commission.