Standoff in Northern Ireland protest march as Orange Order procession halted in Portadown

The Protestant Orange Order has previously held marches in Northern Ireland, marches that often ended in violent clashes in conflict-ridden Northern Ireland.

The town of Portadown was affected by the conflict, which is partly due to differences between Protestants and Catholics. A court ruling in 1997 stopped the Orange Order marches. After an appeal, a court in Belfast has now allowed a limited silent march of 35 people.

But the march was halted on the vulnerable Garvaghy Road on Sunday morning. As midnight approached, members of the Orange Order were in a standoff with counter-protesters and police.