PSNI prepares interview letters over Garvaghy Road protests

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is preparing interview invitations for people reasonably suspected of offences connected to protests that prevented an Orange Order parade from proceeding along Garvaghy Road in Portadown. The police said the step is part of an investigation into alleged breaches of a Parades Commission determination permitting the parade route. Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said investigators had reviewed evidence collected during the operation and were assembling evidential packages concerning identified individuals. He said letters about the interview process would now be issued. Beck said the move would not affect the ongoing civil legal action. An invitation to interview is not a finding of guilt, and the police have not announced charges or convictions arising from this investigation. First Minister Michelle O’Neill said Friday that she had received a letter inviting her to a police interview and would cooperate. Other Sinn Féin figures, including Conor Murphy, John O’Dowd and Gerry Kelly, have also received police correspondence, according to reports.