Sinn Féin MLAs defend Garvaghy Road protest stance

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 14:02 · Archive

Sinn Féin MLAs questioned by police over an allegedly unlawful protest blocking an Orange Order parade say they will not resign from the Policing Board.

Sinn Féin MLAs Deirdre Hargey and Gerry Kelly, along with party president Mary Lou McDonald and vice-president Michelle O'Neill, were interviewed by police on Wednesday and Friday regarding an allegedly unnotified protest on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. Thousands of protesters, including the Sinn Féin representatives, prevented passage of an Orange Order parade down the road, which is in a largely nationalist area.

A Parades Commission decision to allow the Orange Order parade to proceed sparked a two-week stand-off at the site, a notorious flashpoint during the Troubles. The Drumcree parade ultimately could not take place as a result of the protest, and the commission's ruling was overturned by Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant.

Both MLAs have said they will not resign from the Policing Board. Mr Kelly told reporters he 'came into politics to do the right thing' and stated: 'I believe I did the right thing there, I would do it again. I did it in the 1990s along with them. That was a just cause, and I will continue to do that.' Ms Hargey said they 'stood on what was right' when attending the protest.

How it is being reported

• Sinn Fein MLAs quizzed in Garvaghy Road probe rule out quitting Policing BoardSinn Fein MLAs being interviewed by police in relation to an allegedly unlawful protest on the Garvaghy Road have said they will not resign from Northern Ireland’s policing oversight body.News Letter · 23 Oct, 13:47
• Sinn Féin MLAs quizzed in Garvaghy Road probe rule out quitting Policing Board"I believe I did the right thing there, I would do it again. I did it in the 1990s along with them. That was a just cause, and I will continue to do that."Belfast Live · 23 Oct, 13:27
• Sinn Féin MLAs quizzed in Garvaghy Road probe rule out quitting Policing BoardBelfast Telegraph · 23 Oct, 13:16

In this story: Sinn Féin · Deirdre Hargey · Gerry Kelly · Mary Lou McDonald · Michelle O'Neill · Orange Order · Garvaghy Road · Portadown

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