{
  "id": 10215425,
  "title": "Burnham urges calm amid tensions in Northern Ireland over Orange Order parade",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/burnham-urges-calm-amid-tensions-in-northern-ireland-over-orange",
  "topic": null,
  "section": null,
  "published": "2026-09-27T11:45:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Discovered",
    "slug": "discovered",
    "url": "https://aol.co.uk/articles/burnham-urges-calm-amid-tensions-110033000.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prime Minister Andy Burnham has urged for a calm response from all parties amid the latest Orange Order parade plans in Northern Ireland. The parade is set to pass through a predominantly nationalist area, Garvaghy Road in Portadown, for the first time in decades. However, thousands of protesters blocked the Garvaghy Road in a bid to prevent the march, following an overnight court ruling in Belfast that allowed the parade to proceed. The parade, known as the Drumcree parade, has a history of violent clashes during the Troubles and was banned in 1998.\n\nPrime Minister Burnham spoke to the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, stating that there have been \"big gains made in Northern Ireland, and we don't want to see things go backwards.\" He appealed for calm on all sides, emphasizing that it is crucial to work towards maintaining peace. Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant also expressed his concern over the situation, stating that he had cut his time at Labour's party conference short to address the issue directly in Belfast. He reiterated the importance of cooperation with the police and urged everyone to maintain calm during the parade.\n\nFirst Minister of Northern Ireland and Sinn Féin Vice-President Michelle O'Neill criticized the reignition of the Drumcree dispute, questioning the progress made over the past 28 years. She spoke alongside protesters who had gathered to block the parade, asserting that the actions of the Orange Order and certain political unionists threaten the 28 years of peace achieved. O'Neill emphasized that the rights of people should not be disregarded and questioned the purpose of attempting to roll back these gains.\n\nDUP leader Gavin Robinson criticized O'Neill, urging her to uphold lawful decisions rather than incite opposition. He stated that the legal position is clear, with the Court of Appeal finding the injunction to be in error, and the High Court confirming the Parades Commission determination. Robinson emphasized the importance of the rule of law, which should apply consistently to all parties involved. He highlighted the maturity demonstrated by the Orangemen of Portadown in conducting themselves with dignity and respect for the rule of law.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}