60 suspects identified by officers probing Drumcree Garvaghy Road protest in Portadown, says PSNI
60 suspects are identified by officers investigating the Drumcree and Garvaghy Road protest in Portadown, the PSNI reveals.
A team of 30 officers is working through more than 70 hours of recorded material, said a top PSNI officer.
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The investigation is into the protest on the Garvaghy Road following a Parades Commission determination to permit the Portadown Orange District to walk along that road.
Residents and supporters blocked the road in opposition to the decision and, following a number of court cases, the Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant blocked the march – a decision which was deemed lawful recently High Court judge.
Several high profile politicians attended the protest including First Minister Michelle O’Neill.
Two people have been arrested and charged with public order related offences relating to this event.
Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck confirmed that the investigative work to build evidential cases relating to those involved in the Drumcree and Garvaghy Road protest continues.
Assistant Chief Constable Beck said: “A team of 30 officers, led by an experienced Senior Investigating Officer, are methodically working through over 70 hours of recorded material and have now built evidential packages in respect of 60 identified suspects.
"Currently 18 of these suspects have been interviewed, and case files are now being prepared before being submitted to the Public Prosecution Service for prosecutorial decisions, in line with normal process.
“The investigation will continue in the coming weeks in line with the Criminal Justice Strategy put in place for this operation.
“As this is a live investigation, which is likely to be long-running, we won’t be making any further comment at this time.”