Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd has called on Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin to engage directly with residents affected by the Drumcree dispute, urging the Taoiseach to visit the Garvaghy Road. O'Dowd expressed concern over a lack of visible involvement from the Irish government in addressing the ongoing issue.
The Parades Commission is expected to make a decision on the Portadown Orange Order's application to parade down the Garvaghy Road by September 23, four days before the scheduled parade. The proposed route, which includes the predominantly nationalist Garvaghy Road, has been published on the Parades Commission website.
Portadown Orange District announced on social media that a mediation facilitator has been appointed by the Parades Commission and stated their readiness to begin the mediation process urgently and without preconditions. The Parades Commission has been approached for comment.
Residents of the Garvaghy Road met to discuss the Orange Order's application, with O'Dowd stating after the meeting that there is "no requirement for an Orange Order march down the Garvaghy Road" and "no support for an Orange Order march through this community on a return parade." He emphasized the responsibility of the Irish government to "stand up for the rights of these citizens" and noted that many within the unionist community are reportedly "aghast" at the proposal.
Breandán Mac Cionnaith, a spokesperson for the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition, stated that the residents rejected the Parades Commission's mediator, asserting the organization had been employed by the Orange Order. Mac Cionnaith also indicated that signatures are being collected from households in the area to demonstrate the widespread opposition to the parade, which will be presented to the Parades Commission as evidence that the majority of residents wish for the march to be rerouted. He stressed that the commission and governmental bodies should take significant notice of this sentiment.