Hopes of a Drumcree Resolution

Robin Sheeran The Politics Show Northern Ireland

Portadown Orangemen in Drumcree - hopes of a resolution

The July 10, 2009 meeting between Peter Robinson and representatives of the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition has once again raised tantalising hopes of a resolution to the Drumcree parades dispute.

On July 5 about 300 Orangemen and two marching bands walked to the bottom of the hill near Drumcree in Portadown.

They arrived at a police gate and later dispersed.

The Portadown Lodge has been banned from walking down the nationalist Garvaghy Road since 1998.

The odd ritual performed at the hill this year has become a regular opening fixture of the marching season.

Violent clashes

Contentious parades and violent clashes have been part of the history of the Orange Order since its formation in 1795.

The annual Wolfe Tone commemoration in Bodenstown is one of republicanism's major set-piece events.

Drumcree in less peaceful times

In June 2009 Martin McGuinness used his Bodenstown speech to accuse the Orange Order of refusing to make a contribution to the peace process.

His message to the Order was that Orange rule has ended and it could no longer abdicate its responsibilities.

The Politics Show Northern Ireland's reporter Yvette Shapiro reports on the latest developments around parading.

"Deeply Intolerant"

Drew Nelson is the Orange Order's Grand Secretary.

He says Martin McGuinness is "deeply intolerant of anyone who portrays their Britishnesss".

He challenges the Deputy First Minister to condemn the murders of Orangemen by the IRA during the Troubles.

Gerry Kelly has attended many Orange parades in his role as a Sinn Fein MLA for North Belfast.

He is regularly to be seen amongst the Sinn Fein stewards at the Ardoyne shop fronts, a well-known violent flashpoint during past Orange parades.

"Not forever"

The Junior Minister makes it clear that Sinn Fein is not prepared to take on this role forever.

"We can't spend the rest of our lives doing this work," he says.

High hopes - new Chairman Rena Shepherd

The Parades Commission recently announced that Rena Shepherd, a former member of the Women's Coalition, will be its new chairman.

Mrs Shepherd took the opportunity of the Drumcree parade the other week to pass through the police lines and have a chat with the Portadown Orangemen.

Peter Robinson has said he hopes she will be in a position to chair the first meeting between the Orange Order and the Garvaghy Road Residents.

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