Sinn Féin's Dara O Hagan has welcomed the Parade Commission's determination to reroute the Orange Order's march to Drumcree away from two predominantly nationalist areas of Portadown. It was the only logical decision, she said.
"I think it is becoming increasingly clear to people that the position of the Orange Order is increasingly tenuous. You have a situation where the Orange Order will not speak to the residents of Garvaghy Road and are refusing to speak to the Parades Commission to put their case," said O'Hagan.
Describing the decision as 'fair minded', a spokesperson for the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition welcomed the Parades Commission's decision. He pointed out that the decision still allowed members of the Orange Order to exercise their right to freedom of assembly along another less contentious route.
Criticising recent actions by David Trimble, the spokesperson continued: "Once again, we have seen the First Minister publicly acting as an advocate on behalf of the Orange Order. "Mr Trimble should bear in mind that his ministerial oath of office requires him to act impartially on behalf of all citizens in the north and not just on behalf of members of a secret society to which he belongs."
Meanwhile, Church of Ireland Primate Robin Eames has appealed to Orangemen to act peacefully and within the law at Sunday's Drumcree march. The church leader called for "a complete and absolute absence of violence.
"I appeal to the Orange Order in Portadown to act with extreme dignity and caution following their attendance at the service at Drumcree, to abide by the law and to recognise the awesome responsibility on any organisation which engages in public protest in Northern Ireland at this time."
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