*Ø* Blogmanac | Drumcree - still a flashpoint


Tomorrow's Orange march at Drumcree in Northern Ireland seems set to go ahead amid appeals for calm from police and churchmen. The march has been banned by the Parades Commission from proceeding along the nationalist Garvaghy Road. This is the route marchers have traditionally taken on their way back to the Orange lodge from their church service at Drumcree on the outskirts of Portadown.

There are hopes that last year's violent attacks on police blocking the Garvaghy Road by some on the loyalist side will not be repeated. The Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, has appealed for "calmness, dignity and responsible behaviour" at Drumcree tomorrow, and in the following days.

Following a week of rumours concerning a possible resolution of the stand-off between the Orange Order and residents which has persisted since 1998, there were signs yesterday that a way forward could be found. However, it seems all but impossible that one could be finalised in time for tomorrow's march.

Source