Drumcree Dispute: NI Secretary Says 'No Settled Agreement' Reached
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Talks on Drumcree Parading Dispute End Without Agreement
Image source: PA Media
Image caption: Portadown district delegation, including loyalist activist Jamie Bryson (center), arrive at Hillsborough Castle.
Published: 1 October 2026, 10:08 BST
Updated: 4 minutes ago
Agreement has not been reached on a resolution to the Drumcree parade dispute, Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant has said. Members of Portadown Orange Order and the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition met Sir Chris at Hillsborough Castle for further talks on Thursday night.
"We haven't come to a settled agreement," he stated after the meeting.
On Tuesday, lawyers for the GRRC issued a fresh legal bid to prevent the march from going ahead, which was due to be heard on Friday but has been postponed until Monday to allow for more talks involving the secretary of state.
"I think this is the end of these conversations," Sir Chris added. "We haven't come to a settled agreement, and it's a shame, but my door remains open."
Breandán Mac Cionnaith, chairman of the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition, said there had been no "meeting of minds" during Thursday's talks and that the current process is "done".
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