The Orange Order in Portadown are seeking permission to march down the Garvaghy Road while many locals are supporting Armagh in the All-Ireland SFC final on Sunday.

The Portadown District LOL No1 has applied to the Parades Commission to hold the contentious parade at 3pm, half an hour before throw-in at Croke Park.

In a Facebook post, the District said: “During the weekend, District Officers submitted an application to complete our 1998 parade back along a route which we have been denied to us over this last 26 years by the unelected quango set up by a Labour government in 1998 the ‘Parades Commission’ and the PSNI, backed up by 15 Secretary of State’s for Northern Ireland.

“As a District, we believe by applying for a parade on Sunday 28th July 2024 at 3pm from Drumcree Church will bring the least impact on the majority of the community that live there as most will either be away to Croke Park, or will be in clubs, pubs or at home watching and supporting their County, Armagh GAA playing in the final of the All-Ireland.

“As a District we believe that this is an opportunity where the 1998 parade can be completed without bringing major disruption to the area and community.

“Over the last 26 years there has also been a big change in demographics of who live within this area with a lot of foreign Nationals coming into the area, so we believe that the time is now to look at all the factors again and a decision made with more up-to-date facts.”

The Parades Commission is due to consider the application later today.

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