Phoblacht has learned that the RUC told the Parades Commission
that last Saturday's Junior Orange Order parade on Portadown's
Garvaghy Road was non-contentious, despite it having a history of
trouble. When later asked by a Parades Commission Authorised
officer to place restrictions on the parade, the RUC refused.
They then turned out in force - in full riot gear and with twenty
jeeps - to police the parade. They arrived at 7.30am to confront
nationalist residents and stayed all day despite pleas from local
councillors to end their provocation.
At 6.25pm the RUC baton-charged a peaceful nationalist protest,
which later led to rioting in the area.
Nationalists from the Garvaghy Road are furious that they have
been branded as the instigators of the trouble and they have
accused the media of peddling the RUC version of events.
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