Orange parade at Drumcree passes off peacefully

This year's annual Orange parade at Drumcree has passed off without incident, with its local leadership calling for mediation with local nationalist residents.

The police mounted a low-key presence with crowd barriers in place on the bridge blocking the parade's march down the Garvaghy Road, unlike the security gates of past years.

As the march reached the police security barriers, the district master of the Orange Order in Portadown, Darryl Hewitt, said once again they were unable to complete their traditional route.

In the previous eighteen months, he said, the Order had been active in reaching out to others including Cardinal Sean Brady, the SDLP and even Gerry Adams.

In doing so, he said, the Order in Portadown had not surrendered.

Mr Adams had heard the views of Orangemen for himself and knew they were resolute in resolving the Garvaghy Road impasse.

So long as there was an independent chairman, he said, Portadown District wanted mediation talks with the nationalist residents without preconditions.