ULSTER Bank has offered a “sincere apology” to the Orange Order for having staff members wear Down GAA colours ahead of last month’s All-Ireland final.

Security is expected to tight ahead of a contentious Orange Order parade in east Belfast tonight.

The decision to bar the Orange Order from marching down the nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown is a denial of natural justice, it was claimed today.

Portadown Orangemen have again been barred from marching down the nationalist Garvaghy Road during their annual Drumcree Parade.