With tensions high going into the annual Twelfth of July Orange Order marches, Northern Ireland braces itself for violence along various contested routes. This UTV Live report follows the third year of protests on the Garvaghy Road route at Drumcree, which have seen widespread rioting and destruction of property. The outlook seems bleak.

However, an unexpected compromise is delivered live on air during an UTV Live Insight debate featuring local politicians. Read out by presenter Mike Nesbitt, the statement declares that the Ballynafeigh District Lodge have pulled out of their planned march. Other statements rapidly follow, with other lodges committing to either re-route or not march at all.

A representative of the Lower Ormeau residents, involved in one of the contentious routes, does not appear particularly grateful for the compromise, while Ian Paisley condemns the re-routing, suggesting that further concessions will now have to be made in the future. Nevertheless, it succeeds in averting potential conflict and takes the heat out of a situation which threatened to derail the entire peace process. 

An Ulster Television Production.