Sinn Féin will ‘of course’ co-operate with any PSNI probe into Garvaghy Road

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said she and her party will “of course” co-operate with the PSNI over any potential investigation into the Garvaghy Road protest.

Ms McDonald said “there’s no question of us co-operating with any process that that will unfold” as she defended Sinn Féin’s participation in the protest, which police have described as unnotified and therefore unlawful.

Asked about the legality of the protest which was also attended by Northern Ireland’s First Minister and Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O’Neill, she said: “Others will determine whether or not that is in fact the case.”

Ms McDonald said: “This comes down to right and wrong.

“This comes down to a simple calculation by all of us as to what is right and just and what is in the best interests of our communities.”

She added: “There are moments in life where you have to take a stand and this is one of those moments.

“Michelle O’Neill and I – as Sinn Féin leaders, as political leaders, as people who care passionately about the society that we can live in and the future that we can build collectively, collaboratively for everybody – know that for that to happen, we have to stand foursquare with the community of the Garvaghy Road.”

Pressed on whether that commitment remains even if it means breaking the law, Ms McDonald replied: “Whatever that means, that is the right call.”

Ms McDonald and Ms O’Neill were among speakers as thousands of people participated in a rally in support of the Garvaghy Road on Saturday, which led to traffic disruption around Portadown.

Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister and DUP MLA Emma Little-Pengelly accused Sinn Féin of “electioneering” and “whipping up harder and harder positions of ‘no, nay, never'”.

She said: “Unionism has remained dignified and calm – asking for the law to be upheld, with all engaging honestly and openly with the process.

“The behaviour of Michelle O’Neill and her party has been disgraceful. A complete abdication of leadership. ”

Asked about the comments, Ms McDonald said the gathering was “broad” and “entirely peaceful” as she rejected the assertion that her party was playing politics over the dispute.

She said: “What was very, very interesting about the gathering is that it was people who care deeply about the society in which we live, who are absolutely determined to defend and protect the progress that has been made over decades now, and people who are absolutely resolute in their determination that nobody and nothing will undermine or threaten or wreck everything that has been built so painstakingly.”

Sinn Féin has also been criticised by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who accused the party of a “lack of sincerity” over the stand-off and an “overly simplistic view” on it being resolved by calling on Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant to ban the parade.

Asked if she accepted it was not that simple, Ms McDonald said: “Well it is actually.”

She added: “There is a resolution to this which is that the Secretary of State call this, make it clear that he puts a stop to this march, and thereby creates the space for a mediation and a dialogue with the community of the Garvaghy Road, with the wider Portadown community and beyond, to actually fix the damage that has been done.”

Ms McDonald noted and agreed with the Taoiseach’s description of the Parades Commission decision as “incomprehensible” but levelled criticism at Mr Martin over Irish unification.

“While the governments in London and Dublin sit on their hands and fail to create the democratic space and dynamic for all of us to engage, to discuss, to plan about Ireland’s future, while there is a vacuum there – we are sitting ducks for this kind of reactionary sideswipe from small elements in society who want to upend our progress.

“So the Government in London, particularly Micheál Martin and the Government in Dublin need to pay attention to that.”