Some of the older Portadown Orangemen spoke in hushed tones of a lack of appetite, not for the Drumcree protest and the march itself but for the hassle and ominous threat of violence ahead of this year's Drumcree march.
|
|
A sea of Orangemen stand on the hill at Drumcree Parish Church.
|
But this year the only threat in the air was for rain and it too was unfilled. As Portadown’s Orange Order gathered outside the Carleton Orange Hall this morning the solitary man wearing the "Free Johnny Adair" T-shirt seemed out of place.
Except for an early flurry of interviews with news thirsty reporters, his role and that of paramilitaries was marginal.
As the crowd grew it became clear the sentiments on the T-shirt of Mr Stephen Clark (33), down from Belfast to lend his support, was not indicative of the mood on the day.
From a fist floor window of Carleton Hall, Assistant District Secretary of the Portadown Orange Lodge, Mr Nigel Dawson, told a swelling crowd that the District does not recognise the determinations of the Parades Commission.
"Once again we have seen the discrimination and bias against this district for the fourth year.
"There has been 156 applications put in during the last three years and if noting else the Parades Commission has been consistent in denying the civil and religious liberties of this district to return home in a peace and dignified manner from Drumcree Parish Church".
His speech was met with polite applause - setting the tone for the day.
Led by the Star of David Accordion Band who started with Never My God To Theethe march passed previous flashpoint areas, Obins St and the Ballyoran Estate without incident. Supporters sparsely lined the route sporadically clapping.
Near the Corcrain Estate the crowd swelled against a backdrop of massive pyres ahead of bonfires planned for the 11th and pavements painted blue, white and red.
In Drumcree Church, the Rev John Pickering told his congregation (and by virtue of a PA system all assembled on the hill) "the barrier onthe road at the bridge beyond the church seems to many people to besaying in a very visual manner that this is the end of the road forthe Orangemen and the end of the road for Northern Ireland.
"But this barrier need not be saying we are at any end in the life ofour country. There is life and hope for all of us in this area andthis country."
He then read a statement from Church of Ireland Archbishop Robin Eames which appealed for calm."I do not need to remind you that there are those outside who are ready and able to make use of your protest for actions which are divisive, criminal and malicious and actions which bring shame on the name of this Province, the name of the Orange Institution and indeed the name of Christianity.
"People across the world will associate all your actions with the picture of the church in the background."
|
|
District Master of the Portadown Lodge Mr Harold Gracey stands alone on the hill in front of the Drumcree barrier.
|
Just after 1 p.m. leaders of the Portadown Orange Lodge, including Grand Master of the Orange Lodge Mr Robert Saulters, gathered in front of the massive steel barricade blocking the traditional return route ofthe march along the nationalist Garvaghy Rd.
Razor wire stretched from the barricade across the fields and more than 2,000 Orange men and supporters looked across the fortifications at the RUC and British Army personnel.
The barricade was festooned with posters including one which suggested: "Oppose your pervert priests and not our parades".
Locks and bolts were undone before RUC Chief Inspector JonathanKearney, appeared to receive the formal verbal protest from Mr Dawsonat the Parades Commission’s decision to block their march. Those whoshouted and cursed as a section of the barricade was pulled back wereswiftly silenced.
After the formal protest was launched, an obviously ailing DistrictMaster of the Portadown Lodge Mr Harold Gracey, addressed the crowdon the hill and appealed for calm.
He reiterated the determination ofthe Orange Order to continue its protest "until we are allowed towalk our traditional route down the Garvaghy Rd".