'I never heard such nonsense': O’Neill criticises Bryant comments about Drumcree stand-off

Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O'Neill attend a community event in support of the Garvaghy Road residents in the Drumcree parade dispute. Picture: Mark Marlow/PA Wire

It is “nonsense” for Britain's Northern Ireland secretary to compare the Drumcree stand-off as being between a “rock and a hard place”, Northern Ireland’s first minister has said.

Michelle O’Neill, the deputy leader of Sinn Féin, was speaking as thousands of people gathered for a rally in support of Garvaghy Road residents who are opposed to an Orange Order march through their community.

Police had launched a major security operation in Portadown amid the gathering on the road as well as a separate rally in support of the Orangemen which was also organised in the loyalist Edgarstown Estate — with Britain's Northern Ireland secretary Chris Bryant saying he would “especially urge calm this weekend”.

Under the name of the Let Them Home Festival, a large crowd also gathered for music, food and games in support of the Orangemen.

The impasse has been ongoing since the Parades Commission gave the green light for the first time in almost 30 years for the Portadown District of the unionist Orange Order — backed by the DUP and TUV — to complete its traditional route along the Garvaghy Road.

However, a coalition of residents in the largely nationalist area — backed by Sinn Féin, the SDLP and People Before Profit — is opposed to the march going ahead and took legal action which failed before starting a sustained days-long protest to prevent the parade from taking place.

Earlier in the week, Mr Bryant described the impasse as being between a “rock and a hard place” as talks ended without agreement.

Referencing the remarks, Ms O’Neill told the Garvaghy Road rally: “I never heard such nonsense.

“This is the difference between right and wrong.” 

She added: “Let me be very clear, if the British Government is not prepared to end this crisis, then it’s up to every single one of us — the people that are gathered here today and all those that support this community, all those people from across Ireland and internationally who have raised their voice — it’s up to all of us to collectively and unequivocally stand with the Garvaghy Road residents and to say no to a sectarian, unwanted march.” 

A fresh legal appeal by the residents is set to be heard in the Court of Appeal on Monday.

On Thursday night, loyalist activist and legal adviser to the Orangemen Jamie Bryson said they will accept the determination of the legal appeal on Monday as he challenged residents of Garvaghy Road to commit to walking away if their bid fails.

Asked if Sinn Féin believed there was any point in the talks process resuming, party leader Mary Lou McDonald told reporters: “The Secretary of State — from the word go — could have stopped this level of disruption and trauma and uncertainty which should never, ever have been visited on this community.

“He should have intervened early, he can still intervene now, but remember that he brought the parties together for talks, a proposal was put on the table — it seemed to me with some favour from the residents.

“The Orange Order had a different view, that’s the nature of talks.

“But then the Secretary of State let everything drop and walked away — so there has to be a level of seriousness here from the British Government in its totality.” 

In his speech, Breandán Mac Cionnaith, of the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition, acknowledged his community had received “lots of support from right across the island”.

He said there was “no logical reason” why the Orange march should proceed “through the heart of this community”, contending an alternative route “back the way they came” was available.

“Garvaghy Road was solved in 1998, it does not need to be solved again.” Mr Mac Cionnaith added: “Westminster thinks we must make concessions — we have nothing left to concede.” 

He described the blocking of the road as a “peaceful” action.

Mr Mac Cionnaith said: “Only one decision that’ll be acceptable: There should be no Orange march — none at all.” 

The event was also attended by former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and politicians from other parties, including People Before Profit’s Gerry Carroll, Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson, Labour senator Nessa Cosgrave, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín and former SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly.

There were boos and chants of “shame” at the mention of Micheál Martin by Mr Tóibín, who accused the Taoiseach of “standing idly by”.

He said: “They [the Government] have a moral responsibility to be here with you to defend your rights and to make sure that this march never comes on this road again.” 

There was music during the event, which saw the thousands of people gathered singing along to Grace, led by Aoife Scott — daughter of Frances Black.

The crowd also gave large applause for former UUP politician and current SDLP candidate Linzi McLaren, who said she was one of almost 1,300 signatories from the Protestant community to a letter to the Secretary of State expressing concern over the proposed march.

Sir Chris, who chaired talks with both sides during the week which were unsuccessful at reaching an agreement, said a prolonged stand-off in Portadown is “ultimately in nobody’s interests”.

He also appealed for the public to “ignore calls for more people to come to the area at this time of tension”, adding: “Such calls are unhelpful and are likely to put further strain on police resources which are already stretched.” In a statement on social media on Saturday, Sir Chris said: “I have been working with all those involved to find a mutually acceptable solution.

“I’m grateful to all those who have been and are engaging in dialogue.

“This is a crucial time for Northern Ireland and I hope people can still find further compromise.

“Leadership is never easy at moments like this but I commend all those who are trying to get to a solution.”