The Orange Order March, which caused major clashes between pro-British supporters and Republicans in Northern Ireland in the 1990s, was allowed to pass through the Catholic neighborhood again after 28 years, increasing Protestant-Catholic tensions in the region again.
The application made to allow the part of the march held annually by pro-British and Protestant Orange Order members in Northern Ireland, passing through Garvaghy Road, where Catholics live in the Drumcree District, was accepted by the court.
The Independent March Commission, which was established to make the marches and protests between the parties peaceful, ruled that the Drumcree leg of the march, which was last held in 1997 and banned in 1998, could be held today.
While the commission stated that only 35 people could march and the band could not take part in the march, both Orange Order members, Catholics and Republican Northern Ireland Regional Prime Minister Michelle O'Neill reacted to the decision.
CONCERNS ABOUT RENEWAL OF THE OLD TENSION
While Orange Order members announced that the ban on the historical route Garvaghy Road had been lifted and the march could be held without restrictions, Catholics expressed concern that the march, which caused major clashes in 1995, 1996 and 1997, would renew old tensions.
Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition spokesman Breandan Mac Coinnaith emphasized that they submitted a petition with 4 thousand signatures to the court demanding that the march be blocked, and said, "Everyone knows that our neighbors share the view that the march should not be allowed." he said.
O'Neill, on the other hand, started to block the route with a group of Irish nationalist Sinn Fein members to prevent the march, which he said would increase tension in society.
Noting that there was an attempt to disrupt the 28-year peace in the region again, O'Neill made a statement to the press during the road closure action. "The Orange Order and the unionists are taking us backwards," O'Neill said. he said.
Pro-Union activist and march participant Jamie Bryson reacted to O'Neill being among the activists blocking the road and said, "The so-called Regional Prime Minister is preventing the action by illegally blocking the road. There are serious question marks about their commitment to the law." he said.
Democratic Unionist Party MP Jonathan Buckley, who advocates that Northern Ireland remain affiliated with England, criticized the ruling nationalist Sinn Fein and said, "Sinn Fein and the residents of Garvaghy Road have been saying that the Orange Order March Commission had made a decision for 28 years. Now everyone must follow the rules." he said.
CALL FOR CONTROL FROM BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BURNHAM TO THE PARTIES
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham sent Northern Ireland Minister Chris Bryant, who was in Liverpool for the annual Labor Party Conference, to the region.
Making a statement to the BBC, Burnham said:
"The decision to march should have been taken with the advice of the police, but the police did not make such a recommendation. The Independent March Commission took this decision. My duty is to ensure that the Minister of Northern Ireland acts in accordance with the Belfast Agreement, which will enter its 30th year in 2027. The Prime Minister of Ireland (Micheal Martin), whom I spoke to by phone last night, also has such a responsibility. We are working closely with him on this issue. I call on all parties to exercise moderation. We have achieved a lot in 30 years in Northern Ireland. To see these going backwards "We don't want it."
