Drumcree protest plan

Portadown Orangemen are today planning how they will maintain their Drumcree protest after tens of thousands of Orange Order …

Portadown Orangemen are today planning how they will maintain their Drumcree protest after tens of thousands of Orange Order members and supporters participated in Twelfth of July parades yesterday.

Portadown District spokesman Mr David Jones said details of the protest would be revealed after the Royal Black Preceptory sham fight at Scarva today.

Despite growing unionist and church opposition, the Orange leadership has maintained its support for the protests. Speaking in Killylea, Mr Robert Saulters, grand master of the order, denounced the violence but defended the protest.

Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty is the former Northern editor of The Irish Times