Northern Ireland’s First Minister and Sinn Fein’s vice president Michelle O’Neill declared victory early on Monday morning after receiving “assurances” an historic Orange Order march would not go ahead overnight.
The Drumcree parade descended into a chaotic hours-long standoff after nationalist protesters tried to stop it.
It is highly controversial because it goes right through Garvaghy Road – in a Catholic, nationalist neighbourhood in Protestant Portadown.
The Order was banned from marching down the road in 1998, triggering widespread unrest across Northern Ireland.
It led to the creation of the Parades Commission to regulate contentious marches.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, the unionist group was granted permission to parade on the street for the first time in nearly 30 years.
And fewer than 24 hours later, just before 1am on Monday, Ms O’Neill declared victory.
“This community do not want this, they do not want this march,” she told reporters before leaving the area shortly after midnight on Monday morning.
“And tonight, I believe, is another victory for this community in standing steadfast for the right to live free from sectarian harassment and intimidation.”
Thousands of activists had blocked the march throughout the day – in the face of police warnings that they were breaking the law.
Some were heard chanting “bring Stormont down” and seen setting off fireworks and wearing balaclavas coloured with the Irish tricolour.
One group of protesters held a sign reading: “From Gaza to Garvaghy Road, resist occupation and fascism.”
Ms O’Neill had joined the protesters before ordering them to “stay the course” and remain on the road until at least midnight.
PICTURED: Orangemen gather near Drumcree Church as police form a barricade to prevent them entering the Garvaghy Road
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A police barricade outside the church remained in place into the evening
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She claimed the dispute “brings into question how this whole peace process works”.
Her party said “peace and progress must be protected” – then raged at “unwanted Orange marches” in Portadown.
Breandan Mac Cionnaith, from the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition, told the nationalist protesters he will meet Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant and Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher on Monday morning for talks on the Drumcree parade.
He said the community had secured a “victory” as he said he had received “commitments” that the parade would not be proceeding down the Garvaghy Road overnight.
Mr Mac Cionnaith asked for 20-30 volunteers to remain on the road to ensure those commitments were not broken.
Portadown Deputy District Master Alastair Power had earlier vowed the parade would still go ahead in the face of nationalist fury.
He condemned Ms O’Neill’s previous pledge to be a “First Minister for all”, asking: “Where’s my rights?”
Mr Power added: “I think society has to look at itself tonight and ask the question – has mob rule won today?”
Thousands of activists blocked the Orange Order march throughout the day
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One group of protesters held a sign reading: ‘From Gaza to Garvaghy Road, resist occupation and fascism’
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Unionist politicians further accused the First Minister of breaching her pledge of office by standing with the protesters.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson said: “It is shameful that we see on the streets of Portadown, on the Garvaghy Road, a First Minister, a collection of ministers and series of elected representatives who are manifestly breaching their pledge of office, who are participating in an unlawful protest, who are blocking the road and who are giving two fingers to the police, the courts and the rule of law.
“That is a situation that I think cannot be allowed to pass unchallenged, I believe there are sincere calls for those individuals to be investigated and prosecuted for the position they are taking.
“The Parades Commission has determined that 35 Orangemen are entitled legally and lawfully to parade the Garvaghy Road. The police have a responsibility to ensure that they can complete their journey.”
Mr Robinson also voiced his “appreciation for the determined stance that the Portadown Orangemen are taking”.
“They have shown discipline, they have shown patience and they have shown an unbridled determination to adhere to the rule of law,” he said.
Some masked men – some in communist insignia – held signs trying to ban the peaceful parade
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“If it takes another 28 hours, if it takes another 28 days, they will show the same steadfast determination and patience and a willingness to uphold the law that they have demonstrated over the last 28 years.”
The Northern Ireland Secretary had been summoned to Belfast from the Labour conference in Liverpool to try to defuse the situation.
After talks with all the main political parties, he admitted “we haven’t got a solution yet”.
Under parading legislation, Sir Chris has the power to ban the parade.
“The truth is everybody has to double down on compromise – that’s what life’s all about – double down on compromise,” he added.
Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable Jon Boutcher earlier urged locals to come together to try to move past their differences.
He said the police operation thus far had involved evidence-gathering of “whatever has been happening from whatever party”.
“I am hoping we will bring all of today’s events to a sensible and peaceful conclusion,” he said.