Orangemen plan mass demo

It has been revealed that the Orange Order is planning a mass demonstration in Portadown on Saturday.

The Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition has lodged no objection because it was not informed in advance of the planned parade due to an oversight.

The Orange Order had planned a mass rally on March 31 to mark the thousandth day of protest at being re-routed from the Garvaghy Road but this was postponed due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Now the Order has applied to hold a delayed, and larger, commemoration this Saturday.

The Orangemen will first protest at Hillsborough Castle, before returning to Portadown where the rally will be held at the town end of the Garvaghy Road.

The Parades Commission said it was allowing the rally, although it was not a traditional one, mindful of the right to free assembly set down in the European Convention of Human Rights.

There are fears, however, that if the rally attracts large numbers, disturbances may break out.

Saturday is the twentieth anniversary of the death of Bobby Sands.