'No change in our position' vows Mac Cionnaith ahead of Drumcree talks

Mac Cionnaith, spokesman for the Garvaghy Road residents opposing the Orange Order march, reiterated that their stance remains unchanged ahead of the upcoming talks. Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant is expected to return to the region on Thursday to host discussions at Hillsborough Castle, marking the fifth day of the Drumcree dispute.

Both the Orange Order and the residents are set to participate in the talks. The Portadown District of the unionist Orange Order aims to complete their traditional route for the first time in nearly 30 years following a ruling from the Parades Commission permitting the parade to proceed along the Garvaghy Road. However, the coalition of residents in the predominantly nationalist area strongly opposes the march.

A resident appeal will be heard at the Belfast Court of Appeal on Friday. On Thursday, crowds continued to assemble on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown, including former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams. Performances by various bands, such as the Mary Wallopers, also took place. Just before 5 PM, Breandan Mac Cionnaith informed the gathered that he was heading to the talks.

"We only just found out about this a short while ago," he said. "We don't know when we'll return from there tonight, it might be 10 o'clock, it might be midnight. 'No matter what you hear, our position remains the same. There is no change in our position so hopefully we'll get tonight over and there isn't far to go.'" Earlier, the Northern Ireland Policing Board heard that the PSNI's operation related to the parading dispute has cost over £3 million.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher faced questions at the Northern Ireland Policing Board during the fifth day of the impasse. A major policing effort was initiated at the weekend following a court challenge to the Parades Commission's decision allowing the Drumcree parade to proceed along the Garvaghy Road failing. The chief constable emphasized that while tensions remain high, there has been no violence or injuries.

He warned of the consequences of the police forcing an Orange Order march down the Garvaghy Road, stating it could be catastrophic for Northern Ireland. The chief constable also mentioned that investigations into alleged law-breaking involving residents blocking the Garvaghy Road on Sunday are well underway.