Northern Ireland court clears Orange Order march through Catholic area for first time since 1997

Belfast’s High Court allowed 35 Orange Order members to march silently without bands along Garvaghy Road in Portadown on Sunday, the first such route there since 1997, after last-minute legal challenges. About 2,000 people gathered in counterprotest. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham called for calm; First Minister Michelle O’Neill of Sinn Féin called the parade unwanted and sectarian and backed resident protests; DUP MP Carla Lockhart said locals had nothing to fear from an orderly silent walk.