Drumcree march ban 'puts awesome burden on Orangemen'

Portadown Orangemen were urged tonight to recognise their awesome responsibility to Northern Ireland to protest peacefully at Drumcree at the weekend.

They have condemned the Parades Commission decision to bar them for the fifth year running from marching along the nationalist Garvaghy Road in the Co Armagh town after a church service on Sunday.

But as tensions mounted Archbishop Robin Eames, head of the Church of Ireland, appealed for cool heads.

In a personal statement he said: ‘‘I appeal to the Orange Order in Portadown to act with extreme dignity and caution following their attendance at the service in Drumcree, to abide by the law and to recognise the awesome responsibility on any organisation which engages in public protest in Northern Ireland at this time.’’

The Archbishop added: ‘‘Given the tensions elsewhere in the province this summer, I appeal earnestly for a peaceful expression of protest at Drumcree and urge on a basis, not only of moral authority in the light of my own efforts to seek a solution, that there is a complete and absolute absence of violence.’’

The Orangemen will hold their service in the Church of Ireland parish church on Drumcree Hill and Lord Eames said it was a cause of intense sadness and disappointment to him that, despite the efforts of himself and others, there remained an impasse over the Garvaghy Road stalemate.

The deputy leader of the nationalist SDLP, Brid Rodgers, claimed the Parades Commission ban was ‘‘the right decision’’.

The Stormont minister and Upper Bann MLA, in whose constituency Drumcree is situated, said she was seeking assurances from police chiefs that adequate security would be in place for the march.

‘‘I know that the people in Portadown on both sides are sick to death of the yearly suspense and trauma surrounding Drumcree.’’

The police chief charged with organising the security operation pledged today his officers would move quickly to arrest troublemakers in the area on Sunday.

Assistant Chief Constable Stephen White said there would be a large army presence held in reserve if he needed it.

‘‘We hear time and time again people from one side or the other saying ‘why are you not more effective in arresting?’.

‘‘So clearly part of the menu of issues that I have at my disposal this year is making effective, quick arrests.’’

Mr White, who has said he hopes to be able to have a reduced security presence to previous years, added: ‘‘What I am trying to do is be responsive to the Orange Order who are saying they want a peaceful protest, responsive to the community who say they want protection but not a ring of steel.’’

But he said: ‘‘At the same time people want to see effective, efficient police service which deals quickly and robustly with crime and that’s what I’m trying to balance this weekend.’’