Robinson begins talks over parade dispute

05/07/2009 - 13:33:22
The North's first minister, Peter Robinson, is trying to start talks between both sides in a long-running dispute over an Orange parade through the Catholic part of Portadown, Co Armagh.

The Drumcree parade, taking place today in Co Armagh, has for the last 11 years been re-routed away from the nationalist Garvaghy Road area.

The nearest the North came to a total melt-down in law and order in recent history came over the Garvaghy Road dispute.

Nationalist residents vehemently oppose an Orange parade down the Garvaghy Road and, after several bloody years, the Parades Commission has re-routed the annual parade away from the area.

The Orange Order, however, is still insisting on its right to march and each year holds a protest at the barricade blocking its path.

It is understood Peter Robinson has already met the Orange Order and now wants to meet the residents with a view to reaching agreement.

Today, however, the march will be prevented from parading back into Portadown, down its preferred route.