Controversial Orange Order march to go ahead for first time in nearly 30 years after late night drama

The Orange Order, is the most prominent of the loyal orders associated with Protestants in Northern Ireland.

Speaking outside court Democratic Unionist MP Carla Lockhart described the decision allowing the parade to go ahead as a "seismic night for the rule of law".

The Upper Bann representative added: "This is not a night to be triumphant"

Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson, who has acted as a legal adviser for Portadown district lodge, said:"We look to the chief constable to make sure this parade is policed."

"We will march peacefully, respectfully and lawfully."

However Sinn Féin MP John Finucane said the decision had left Garvaghy Road residents feeling" angry and scared".

"They have a right to feel like that," he said. "We have and we will stand with residents of Garvaghy Road."

A large crowd gathered on the Garvaghy Road in the wake of an appeal court ruling which overturned an earlier High Court judge issuing a temporary ban on the parade.

Masked men also blocked the north end of the Garvaghy Road, towards Drumcree.

Reacting to the Court of Appeal ruling Breandan Mac Cionnaith of the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition said: "There's no such thing as justice or rights for our community. I'm going back to help defend my community."

Sínn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Stormont First Minister Michelle O'Neill also pledged to "stands fully with the Garvaghy Road community".

Before issuing the injunction Judge Smyth had given the parties involved a final opportunity to "reach an agreement" and "step back from the abyss".

Judge Smyth said "it is my view the issues at stake are so sensitive and so important, I would expect all of the lawyers to be creative and to use the law for the good of all the people in Northern Ireland."

The judge said the issue the court is dealing with is of "fundamental importance" to the entire society in Northern Ireland.

She highlighted that information provided to the court from the PSNI has "promoted further enquiries" and "further time would be of benefit to the court."

"In my view it would be contrary to justice and unwise to proceed to make a decision in the absence of information in relation to the issues I have identified."

She said the important date for the Orange Order was July 5 and therefore there "is no prejudice in adjourning for a short period to allow this case to be prepared by all parties ."

Portadown District Lodge submitted a letter in which they outlined their reasons for not agreeing to delay the parade.

"The suggestion there is no prejudice to us is, to be frank, absolutely contrary to all reality," the letter said.

"The prejudice is very clear – those opposed to us could simply ramp up the threat of disorder or violence, to change the factual context, and therefore effectively act as a veto."

It added: "This is not balanced or fair to us; it is depriving us, potentially on a permanent basis, of what we have been lawfully granted for Sunday, with no guarantee this outcome will be replicated even if the Applicant's case is ultimately found to be without any merit whatsoever."

The letter concluded: "We would ask the court not to take this unprecedented and extraordinary step, which we are advised is unheard of and has hitherto not ever occurred."

In a statement on Saturday afternoon Archbishop Eamon Martin called for "prayers and support for a peaceful resolution to complex Garvaghy Road situation".

The Catholic primate said he shared the "sense of shock and disappointment of so many people at recent developments".

"I also appeal for support for the patient use of solely lawful and democratic processes to resolve this deeply complex and emotive situation."

Fr Peter Clarke, from St John the Baptist in Portadown, said he was concerned the march would "clash" with parishioners coming and going from the church.

He said he had emailed the commission to express his concerns and stated he "doesn't know how they came to" their conclusion.

Parishioners at St Patrick's Church on William Street are also likely to be affected ahead of the 10:00 service, according to the priest.

He added "tensions are high" in the community, and said he will be addressing the situation during Sunday's service.

The decision to give the go-ahead for the parade came after the five-person Parades Commission, led by Prof Evelyn Collins, held face-to-face talks with the Orange Order earlier this week, and a separate meeting with the residents' coalition.

Senior police officers were also consulted about the planned parade.

Within the 31-paragraph determination by the Parades Commission, details were revealed of conversations held with the PSNI.

The document stated: "The police made both written and oral submissions, indicating that they, at the time of making them, had no information indicating that the parade would result in disorder or violence."

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it had activated "mutual aid arrangements to support contingency planning for a policing operation" in Portadown on Sunday.

It is understood about 200 officers are coming from Scotland.

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