Orangemen in Armagh have asked for permission to hold a parade on the day of the All-Ireland football final, using the Gaelic football team's participation in the fixture as an excuse to march in a nationalist area of the county.
They are pleading with the Parades Commission to be allowed to march down the Garvaghy Road, an area that boasts a largely nationalist population.
The group have suggested that the All-Ireland final will result in many locals vacating the area on Sunday afternoon, either to attend the match at Croke Park or to watch in local pubs and sports clubs.
Should the proposal be accepted, the parade would take place around the same time as the game. A 3pm start time has been suggested, just half an hour before the fixture in Dublin.
The organisation have unsuccessfully applied to hold a parade through the Garvaghy Road on a number of occasions since 1998. On that year, their attempt to march in the area sparked violent scenes.
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Orangemen Apply To Hold Armagh Parade During All-Ireland Final
In a statement on social media, the Portadown district Orangemen suggested that Armagh's presence in the All-Ireland football final and the changing demographics in the area should mean that they request is granted.
As a District we believe by applying for a parade on Sunday 28th July 2024 at 3pm from Drumcree Church will bring the least impact on the majority of the community that live there, as most will either be away to Croke Park, or will be in clubs, pubs or at home watching and supporting their County, Armagh GAA playing in the final of the All Ireland.
As a District we believe that this is an opportunity where the 1998 parade can be completed without bringing major disruption to the area and community.
Over the last 26 years there has also been a big change in demographics of who live within this area with a lot of foreign nationals coming into the area, so we believe that the time is now to look at all the factors again and a decision made with more up to date facts...
The ball is now firmly in the courts of the PSNI, the chair and commissioner’s of the parades commission to make sure that they look at all the factors and make a decision based on them and not to be cutting and pasting determinations, what has happened from 1998.
It is suggested that the Parades Commission will consult all stakeholders before arriving at a final decision.
The Garvaghy Road is currently decked in orange and white to mark Armagh's All-Ireland final appearance, the county's first since 2003.
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