A heavy police presence in Portadown throughout Saturday prevented loyalists staging another demonstration in the town centre.
Several hundred loyalists were expected to assemble in the Co Armagh town to continue the campaign of protest in support of the Drumcree Orangemen. By mid-afternoon, however, only a handful of protesters had gathered in front of St Mark's Church in the town centre and the anticipated protests failed to materialise.
Throughout Saturday morning, the RUC, backed up by units of the British army, had deployed in strength in the town's main shopping area. Security was particularly high in the flashpoint Woodhouse Street, the scene of recent clashes between rival crowds. Police with dogs patrolled the High Street area and a number of RUC vehicles were stationed just outside the High Street Mall, while uniformed officers patrolled the mall itself. The High Street Mall has been another contentious area in Portadown, as rival gangs vie for control of the "territory".
There were claims by some protesters that the RUC had used heavy-handed tactics against them on Saturday. One woman claimed she had been struck in the small of the back by a police officer as she was entering a shop. A man claimed he had been singled out by the RUC and threatened with arrest if he did not leave the town centre.
Other protesters said that police had used insulting language towards them. The RUC confirmed in Portadown yesterday that a number of complaints had been made regarding "police insensitivity" in relation to Saturday's security operation. No other complaints had been made regarding police action in the town.
Although the heavy police presence prevented any disruption of business in Portadown, there was, for the third successive weekend, a considerable drop in the number of shoppers using the town. Many shoppers once again preferred to use the nearby Craigavon centre or travel the short distance to Lurgan. One Portadown trader said his total takings on Saturday amounted to £43 and indicated that unless there was a dramatic improvement in trade, many businesses, including his own, could soon be forced to close.
However, traders in Portadown can expect little respite, as loyalists say they intend to step up their protests, particularly in the town centre. Next weekend will bring another problem for the security forces, as a local group confirmed that a "Protestant Culture and Heritage Rally" will take place in Portadown. The rally was believed to have been cancelled after plans to hold it near the Garvaghy Road were blocked. However, the organisers say the rally will definitely go ahead next Saturday. They have appealed to all Orangemen, bands and other Protestant heritage organisations throughout Northern Ireland and Scotland to attend.