Irish political parties urge Burnham to intervene over Drumcree parade dispute

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A host of Irish political parties have united to press UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to intervene in the Drumcree parading dispute.

Some of the opposition parties, including Sinn Féin and Labour, urged Mr Burnham to instruct Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant to “use his statutory powers to bring this crisis to an end”.

“There must be no march forced through the Garvaghy Road community against its wishes,” they added.

The letter comes on the 12th day of the impasse sparked after Northern Ireland’s Parades Commission gave the Orange Order in Portadown, Co Armagh, the green light for the first time in almost 30 years to complete its traditional route from Drumcree Church down the Garvaghy Road.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they have been unable to facilitate the parade amid large scale protests on the Garvaghy Road.

Since then Orange Order members have maintained a presence at Drumcree Hill, while protesters remain on the Garvaghy Road.

The letter to Mr Burnham was signed by Sinn Féin president Mary-Lou McDonald, Labour leader Ivana Bacik, Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins, People Before Profit TDs Richard Boyd-Barrett and Paul Murphy, and Aontu leader Peadar Tóibín.

It was also signed by Charles Ward, TD for the 100% Redress Party and independent TDs Brian Stanley and Seamus Healy.

The letter recalls the Drumcree stand-off in the 1990s as being “synonymous with murder, violence and intimidation where 21 people were killed during that horrific time”.

“We can’t allow these dark days to return,” they wrote.

“We believe that the British Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant MP must discharge his statutory powers under the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998.”

They described the Parades Commission decision permitting the parade as having “caused profound distress and anxiety within the Garvaghy Road community”.

“Twelve days of fear and uncertainty is unacceptable. The residents should not be required to remain on vigil around the clock, fearing that community relations and decades of peace and progress could be undone,” they wrote.

“The British Secretary of State has the power to intervene. He must now act decisively.

“The determination should be revoked and the proposed march should not be permitted to proceed along the Garvaghy Road against the expressed wishes of the local community.”

They went on: “Your government’s party played a central role in securing the Good Friday Agreement. As we approach its 30th anniversary, it would be hugely detrimental if the progress achieved since 1998 were allowed to be undermined by a return to the past.

“This is not simply a matter for one community. The overwhelming support publicly expressed across the island of Ireland by people from different political and religious traditions, and public figures in Britain, Europe and United States demonstrates the seriousness with which this matter is regarded.

“We therefore urge you to act swiftly and instruct the Secretary of State to use his statutory powers to bring this crisis to an end. There must be no march forced through the Garvaghy Road community against its wishes.

“The British Government has the responsibility and the power to prevent further escalation. We ask you to exercise that responsibility now.”

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