Police not expecting large Drumcree protest

The police officer in charge of dealing with this year’s Drumcree parade has said he is not expecting violent protests of the extent seen in previous years.

Assistant chief constable Steven White said: "All the indications this year are that any disorder, any criminality, will be of a lesser level than previous years.

"As a result of that, what I’m hoping to do is deal with the Orange march, the likely protest at the bridge and any other aspects attended to it in a way that is proportionate and responsive to the situation."

Last night, the Parades Commission barred the Drumcree march in Portadown from entering the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road for the fifth consecutive year.