UK government blocks Northern Ireland march after standoff

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 11:19 · Archive

Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary has banned a controversial Orange Order march on Garvaghy Road after a two-week standoff.

The British government has blocked a contentious march in Northern Ireland after a two-week standoff between groups supporting the region's continued union with the United Kingdom and those favouring reunification with the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland Secretary of State Chris Bryant intervened Friday night to ban the procession along Garvaghy Road in Portadown. 'I've decided that it's not in the public interest for it to proceed, and I've therefore banned the procession,' Bryant said. He said he had been unable to find a resolution after holding talks with both the Garvaghy Road residents and the Orange Order.

The standoff arose after a court ruling paved the way for the Orange Order to march down Garvaghy Road for the first time in almost 30 years. When Orange Order members gathered for their planned march on 27 September, they were blocked by republican protesters, including First Minister Michelle O'Neill. The two sides have been locked in a stalemate ever since. Garvaghy Road was a notorious flashpoint between republican and unionist communities before the 1998 Good Friday Agreement largely ended the bloodshed in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles.

Traditional summer marches by unionist groups celebrate their Protestant roots and historic ties to the UK, but have long caused tensions with the largely Catholic republican community, which says they are intentionally provocative and fuel conflict.

How it is being reported

• UK government blocks Northern Ireland march after standoff fueled sectarian tensionsThe British government has blocked a contentious march in Northern Ireland after a two-week standoff.News4Jax · 10 Oct, 10:57
• UK government blocks Northern Ireland march after standoff fueled sectarian tensionsThe British government has blocked a contentious march in Northern Ireland after a two-week standoff.Clickorlando · 10 Oct, 10:57

In this story: Chris Bryant · Michelle O'Neill · Orange Order · Garvaghy Road · Portadown · Northern Ireland

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