Peaceful march raises hopes of quiet summer

HOPES of another quiet marching season in Northern Ireland this summer were raised after the annual parade to Drumcree passed off peacefully yesterday.

Orangemen, who have been banned from marching from Drumcree Parish Church through the nationalist Garvaghy route in Portadown since 1998, were again hindered by the barrier manned by the police and army.

After taking part in a church service to commemorate those killed in the battle of the Somme during the First World War, Portadown Orangemen vowed to continue their efforts to walk down the Garvaghy Road.