Drumcree parade to be challenged in High Court by residents’ group

On Friday, a residents’ group on the Garvaghy Road said they were ”furious” over the decision, adding that the community were “fearful about what will happen over the weekend”.

Breandán Mac Cionnaith, from the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition, said: “The feelings of people in the local community here, you can describe them as shock, and you can also describe them as anger.

“After 28 years of this community being able to avoid confrontation, the parades commission by their decision is creating the grounds for a confrontation.”

DUP MLA Carla Lockhart said residents have “nothing to fear” and asked them not to get “caught up in hysteria”.

“Thirty-five men walking down a road silently with no bands in an orderly fashion.

“These men work, live and do business in this community,” she added.

She said Sinn Féin should “show political leadership and ensure calm remains across the community”.

However Sinn Féin President Mary-Lou McDonald said the decision to allow the parade was “utterly reckless” adding that it shows a “complete disregard” for the rights of the community of the Garvaghy road.

“This is a grave situation, recklessness of this scale of course has implications and consequences.”

She called for anyone that can intervene, including the prime minister and taoiseach, to “put this right”.