Northern Ireland’s Michelle O’Neill invited for police interview over protest
The first minister says she will cooperate with an investigation into a demonstration against an Orange Order parade.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she had received a letter inviting her to a police interview as part of an investigation into a protest on Garvaghy Road in Portadown. The demonstration blocked an Orange Order parade from passing through a Catholic area.
O’Neill said she would cooperate with the investigation and continue to support Garvaghy Road residents. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and thousands of local people also took part in the protest. Police are investigating it as an unlawful demonstration and say they have identified people reasonably suspected of offences.
The September 26 march was allowed to use the route for the first time since it was banned in 1998 after tensions surrounding annual Orange Order marches. The dispute reflects longstanding political and historical divisions in Northern Ireland. The region’s Court of Appeal is due to consider whether residents can challenge the removal of the parade ban.
