By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-27 07:20:49 | Updated at 2026-09-27 08:06:37
46 minutes ago
Crowds have gathered in Portadown on Sunday morning at the scene of a notorious Troubles flashpoint.
A ruling by the Parades Commission permitting the Orange Order to march on Garvaghy Road was upheld in an "unprecedented" late night sitting of the High Court in Belfast overnight.
The crowds, many of them wearing balaclava, clustered in large groups along Garvaghy Road in the hours leading up to the scheduled start of the parade at 8am.
The march was finally given the go ahead at a hearing which concluded at 2.15am on Sunday after legal teams repeated their arguments over the contentious parade, which was a notorious flashpoint of the Troubles in the 90s.
The time-limited sitting beginning at 12.20am on Sunday was heard before Justice Michael Humphreys.
He acknowledged the "unusual if not unprecedented circumstances as it is now 1.45am, with a parade scheduled to begin in just over six hours’ time".
Outlining his decision, Mr Justice Humphreys cited case law that as a public body the courts must respect its judgment and "their decisions will not be lightly interfered with".
Around five minutes before the parade was due to start, a huge number of fireworks were set off near Garvaghy Road.
The road was a notorious flashpoint during the Troubles
PA
Campaigners had demanded the march be rerouted
PA
More to follow...
