Re-routed march expected to be peaceful

The annual Orange march to Drumcree church in Portadown, Co. Armagh, takes place later today. It will be re-routed away from the nationalist Garvaghy Road for the sixth year running.

Security measures are to be scaled down for the first time this year after Orangemen pledged not to try and breach police lines.

Superintendent Alan McCrum, head of operations in Craigavon, said there would be fewer fixed barricades and less barbed wire near St John's Catholic church and in the fields around Drumcree’s protestant church.

He said the decision had been taken after significant engagement with the Orange Order.