Police in Northern Ireland are preparing case files for prosecutors after interviewing 18 people as part of an investigation into the Drumcree parade dispute.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that its investigation is continuing following the stand-off in Portadown in September. Officers are reviewing more than 70 hours of recorded footage and have identified 60 people suspected of involvement in possible offences.
The files will be submitted to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), which will decide whether criminal charges should follow.
A major investigation in Portadown
Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said a dedicated team of 30 officers is working through the available evidence.
The team is led by a senior investigating officer and has been building evidential packages relating to the 60 identified suspects.
So far, 18 people have been interviewed. Police are now preparing files for prosecutors to assess.
The PSNI said the investigation would continue over the coming weeks. It also stressed that the process remains active and that it would not provide further details at this stage.
What happened during the Drumcree dispute?
The investigation follows a major confrontation surrounding the Drumcree procession on 27 September.
The Parades Commission had authorised an Orange Order parade to travel along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. However, opposition to the procession led to a stand-off, with crowds gathering along the route.
The dispute brought renewed attention to an area that became a major flashpoint during the 1990s.
After negotiations failed to produce an agreement, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn intervened and prohibited the parade from proceeding along the route.
The decision was followed by legal challenges and a prolonged debate over the handling of the situation.
High Court backs the policing decisions
On 28 October, the High Court ruled that the Secretary of State’s decision to stop the parade was lawful.
The court also considered the police response and the risks involved in attempting to clear the route.
The PSNI said the judgment recognised the difficult operational circumstances officers faced, including the potential for serious injury and wider disorder.
The ruling did not bring the criminal investigation to an end. Police confirmed that enquiries into alleged offences connected with the protest and obstruction would continue.
What happens next?
The next stage will depend on the evidence submitted to the Public Prosecution Service.
Prosecutors will review the files and decide whether there is sufficient evidence to bring charges.
Being interviewed as a suspect does not mean that a person will automatically be prosecuted or convicted.
The investigation is expected to continue, with police reviewing footage and evidence gathered during the September events.
The Drumcree dispute remains a sensitive issue in Northern Ireland. The latest developments show that, even after the immediate stand-off ended, the legal and political consequences are still unfolding.