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Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
  Press Statements

Orange Order angry and disgusted at Drumcree violence

7 July 2002

The Orange Order has expressed its anger and disgust at the violence following today's church parade at Drumcree.

A spokesman for the Order totally condemned the attack on police at the barrier preventing Orangemen from walking down the Garvaghy Road.

"Those who instigated today's violence are to be condemned. They marred an otherwise peaceful and dignified protest. Their actions have distracted attention away from the legitimate attempts by Portadown Orangemen to have their civil rights restored."

The spokesman said that, at this stage, the Order was confident that outsiders started the trouble but If Orangemen were found to have been involved they would face disciplinary action.

Expressing sympathy and regret to the injured police officers, the Order's spokesman continued: "We acknowledge the efforts made by the police to try and reduce tensions by erecting a smaller barrier than in previous years and we are appalled that outsiders opted to abuse this gesture. In the light of what happened today the decision to down-scale security precautions was clearly a mistake - something we pointed out to the police on three separate occasions before today's parade."

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