A HIGH-PROFIILE Dail deputy vowed “there is no going back” after the PSNI asked to interview him about the Drumcree standoff.
Pearse Doherty TD, from Gaoth Dobhair, is one of several politicians who received letters from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
The letters and interviews are part of the force’s investigation into the fallout from a controversial decision to grant a parade in the area.
Politicians like deputies Pearse Doherty and Padraig MacLochlainn, and Donegal councillors such as Jack Murray, who are all from Sinn Fein, were among many to oppose the parade.
The Orange Order was granted permission to walk down the mostly Nationalist route of the Garvaghy Road in Drumcree, near Portadown, Co Armagh, for the first time since 1998.
Pearse Doherty TD was among many to oppose an Orange Order parade that was was granted permission to go down the mostly Nationalist route of the Garvaghy Road in Drumcree, near Portadown, Co Armagh, for the first time since 1998.
PSNI LETTER
Deputy Doherty said: “I have received a letter from the PSNI relating to the peaceful protest on the Garvaghy Road and I will attend an interview in the period ahead.
“Standing up for what is right is always the right thing to do. There is no going back. Not now. Not ever.”
He explained: “Sinn Fein stood in solidarity with the residents of the Garvaghy Road to protect 28 years of peace.
“We will continue to stand with the Garvaghy Road residents who should be allowed to live their lives free from sectarian intimidation.”
BLOCKAGE ILLEGAL WARNING
Before the parade was to get underway on September 27 past, the PSNI issued dispersal warnings that the blockage was illegal.
PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher has warned of “consequences” for anyone who is found to have breached the law.
His deputy, assistant chief constable Davy Beck, spoke of evidence being gathered about “identified persons, reasonably suspected of committing offences”.
He said: “This work will now proceed to the next phase where individuals will receive letters regarding the interview process.”
An estimated 1,000 protesters gathered on the Garvagh Road from late September to block the Orange Order march.
The Parades Commission gave the march’s go-ahead for the first time in nearly 30 years, leading to the tense stand-off that lasted for almost a fortnight.
It ended when Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant intervened to ban the parade, following police warnings of serious public order risks.
ORMEAU ROAD
Deputy Doherty has added that the residents of the Lower Ormeau Road in Belfast, where another contentious parade has taken place historically, also has his support.
He said that he will stands with “the people of the Lower Ormeau Road [residents], who are also facing the threat of unwanted march through their community.”