NI Justice Minister urges Orange Order to forgo Garvaghy Road march

Northern Ireland Justice Minister Naomi Long publicly urged the Orange Order to refrain from marching down Garvaghy Road, emphasizing that legal permission does not equal wisdom. She highlighted the lingering pain from the Drumcree controversy, which has resurfaced after two decades and sparked protests from Garvaghy Road residents. Although the Parades Commission granted the march a green light for the first time since 1998, the residents have stalled it and will present a new appeal to the Court of Appeal.

Long stressed the availability of an equally long alternative route that avoids the disputed road and called on the Order to act generously for the community’s sake. She also urged both sides to keep negotiating, involving the Orange Order, local residents and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant, and noted that the police had prepared multiple scenarios but found no evidence of planned violence.