Irish leader urges UK officials to intervene in stalled Drumcree parade dispute

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald told Taoiseach Micheál Martin that the UK prime minister and Northern Ireland secretary must be forced to intervene in the Drumcree parade impasse, which she described as a "dangerous and lingering limbo." She singled out Sir Chris Bryant for failing to act since the dispute began, urging him to use his powers to stop the march and allow repair work on Garvaghy Road. Martin defended a mediated approach, saying he had spoken with Prime Minister Andy Burnham and believed continued dialogue could produce a solution.

The Northern Ireland Parades Commission approved the traditional route for the first time in three decades, yet police blocked the march over disorder fears. Protesters remain stationed at Drumcree Church while residents on Garvaghy Road oppose the "triumphalist" parade. Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee stressed that a lasting settlement requires an agreement between the Orange Order and local residents, and said the Irish government is ready to support any negotiated outcome.