Mini-July 12 parade to go ahead

Concern is growing in the North this afternoon over a large mini-Twelfth parade that is due to take place this evening.

The march as part of the annual Orange parade season is due to take place in east Portadown later today.

As the season begins, tensions are continuing to rise across the North on all sides of the peaceline.

Meanwhile, there is expected to be a ruling later today that the annual parade to Drumcree church cannot return via the nationalist Gravaghy Road.

This would then be the fifth year running that the parade has been re-routed.

The ruling is expected to be announced by the parades commission this evening.