A judge has dismissed an Orange Order against the Secretary of State’s decision to ban the Drumcree parade from going down the Garvaghy Road.  

But Mr Justice Scoffield said those against the march should take “no particular joy in the outcome”.  

He said that a lawful decision-making process has established the lodge’s right to parade in law. 

He also told the court that Sir Chris Bryant’s decision was lawful but highly regrettable that it happened in the circumstances it did. 

And he threw some shade on nationalist protesters saying, “the law does not apply only when you agree with it”. 

Ciarán Dunbar was joined by Allison Morris. 

The BelTel brings you some of Northern Ireland's top journalists, Allison Morris, Sam McBride and Suzanne Breen to name but a few, giving you the inside stories behind what is in the news. Presented by Ciarán Dunbar, the Bel Tel investigates, debates and informs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The BelTel

Judge dismisses Orange Order challenge but warns against "joy in the outcome"  

DUP leader Gavin Robinson says Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly will quit joint engagements with First Minister Michelle O’Neill - but he won’t be pulling her out of the executive.

The DUP's party officers met on Thursday to discuss their options.

Before the meeting, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart published a letter to the party making it clear – that if it didn't pull Emma Little-Pengelly out of the executive, she would take her "own course".

Lockhart insists that Michelle O’Neill must be removed from office over Sinn Féin's part in the Drumcree protests, but the party leader has now stopped short of that.

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph’s Political Editor Suzanne Breen.

DUP: Lockhart set to walk as Robinson fudges forcing O'Neill out 

 When Richard Moore was 10 years old a British Army captain shot him in the face with a rubber bullet. 

The Derry School boy lost his sight completely in an instant but twenty years ago Richard met Charles, the soldier who shot him, and forgave him. They have been friends ever since. 

Richard grew up to establish the charity Children in Crossfire in 1996 with the goal of supporting vulnerable children growing up in the crossfire of poverty and injustice. 

His work has brought him close the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dali Lama. 

 Richard Moore joined Ciarán Dunbar to talk about his life and work. 

Richard Moore: Forgiving the British Army officer who took his sight 

Islandmagee is a quiet civil parish on the east coast of Northern Ireland. 

But in 1711, a newcomer to the area begins to have fits, regurgitates pins and buttons, and suddenly dies. 
In the weeks following her death, eight woman and one man are found guilty of witchcraft at a local Courthouse – one man is executed. It was the last witchcraft trial in Ireland.  

Olivia Peden speaks to Dr Andrew Sneddon of Ulster University, and Martina Devlin, the author of “The House where it happened” about this mysterious event.

This podcast was originally published in October 2023.

Judge dismisses Orange Order challenge but warns against "joy in the outcome"

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