The Court of Appeal has overturned a ban on an Orange Order parade marching through a largely nationalist area of Northern Ireland on Sunday, in a decision that was immediately followed by a further development: the Court of Appeal approving a request for the case to be heard again by a different High Court judge on Saturday night. The Drumcree parade, a flashpoint in the region's history, had been granted permission to proceed along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown for the first time in nearly three decades, albeit with restrictions.

This permission was challenged on Saturday by the Garvaghy Road Residents Group, leading to a temporary injunction granted by a High Court judge who cited the potential for escalation in the long-standing dispute between residents and the Orange Order. The injunction had halted the march planned for Sunday.

However, an emergency court sitting late Saturday night saw the decision banning Sunday's parade successfully appealed by an Orange Order member. Following this ruling, a large crowd gathered on the Garvaghy Road. Breandan Mac Cionnaith of the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition expressed dismay, stating that justice and rights are absent for their community. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald called the development a disgrace, characterizing the march as steeped in sectarian violence and murder.

Stormont First Minister Michelle O'Neill declared a firm stance against any return to past divisions, affirming Sinn Féin's full support for the Garvaghy Road community and Nationalists across Ireland. The initial injunction was issued by Judge Patricia Smyth after the Portadown District Orange Lodge declined her request to postpone the parade for a full consideration of all issues.

The basis for the High Court review centered on the Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI) risk assessment presented to the Parades Commission. Denise Kiley KC, representing the residents, argued in court that the PSNI's assessment focused entirely on past risks, lacking any evaluation of future dangers, thus necessitating more time for the Parades Commission to clarify apparent discrepancies.

Judge Smyth had stated that the deep mistrust between residents and the Orange Lodge was significant. She noted that the temporary injunction was intended to remain in place until the judicial review application could be properly determined, highlighting the potential for the dispute to escalate.

Supporters of the Orange Order had gathered at the Drumcree Centre off the Garvaghy Road while the Order's appeal was being heard. The original decision to allow the parade came after the Parades Commission considered the PSNI's risk assessment and the submissions from both the Orange Order and the residents' group.

The Drumcree conflict, particularly in the 1990s, led to some of the most severe public disorder in Northern Ireland's history. The resolution of such parades has been a persistent challenge for authorities and a source of deep division within communities.