Northern Ireland allows Protestant march through Catholic neighborhood
The High Court of Northern Ireland has allowed the Orange Order to hold a parade along Garvaghy Road in the town of Portadown, which is inhabited predominantly by Catholics.
The decision was made early in the morning of September 27, a few hours before the planned march. The court rejected another petition by local residents to ban the parade after the appellate court overturned a temporary injunction.
The Orange Order has not held a parade along this route since 1998. The disputes over the marches in Portadown in the 1990s became one of the best-known flashpoints of sectarian confrontation during the conflict in Northern Ireland.
The Parades Commission allowed no more than 35 people to take part. The parade must take place without musical bands and accompanying supporters.
Opponents of the court's decision gathered on Garvaghy Road. Among the participants in the protest were Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.
