“The reality is that this parade should never have been given permission in the first place and it never should again. What followed was weeks of unnecessary tension, disruption to residents’ lives, enormous pressure on policing and damage to community relations that will take time to repair.
“This was a reprehensible attempt to drag our society back to one of the darkest chapters of our recent history. The people of Garvaghy Road should never have been put through this ordeal, and those who sought to exploit the situation for political advantage should reflect seriously on the consequences of their actions.
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has welcomed the Secretary of State’s decision to rescind permission for the Drumcree Orange parade following a request from the PSNI Chief Constable.
Ms Hanna said:
“I welcome the Secretary of State’s decision to rescind permission for this parade. This is precisely the intervention the SDLP has called for from day one, and one that should have happened weeks ago.
“People from across our communities have expressed solidarity with Garvaghy Road residents. That solidarity must now be matched by a commitment to reconciliation, dialogue and ensuring that nothing like this happens again.
“Now is the time to allow residents to return to their normal lives, pick up the pieces of the damage done to community relations and get back to the business of governing.
“Northern Ireland has enough challenges without manufacturing new crises from the divisions of the past. We need political leaders focused on delivering a Budget, protecting public services and building a shared future, not dragging people back into conflicts that should have been left behind decades ago.
“The immediate threat has been removed. The work of rebuilding trust, securing a lasting resolution and moving forward must now begin.”
