Police investigate six unnotified parades in one week as PSNI issues warning to organisers
Friday 16 October 2026
Police have launched investigations into six processions held without the required notification across Northern Ireland this week, with incidents reported in Belfast, Dunloy, Bangor, Newtownabbey and Derry/Londonderry.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that enquiries are ongoing into the gatherings, which took place without the advance notification required under legislation governing public processions.
The investigations cover six separate locations, with police reminding organisers that the right to parade carries legal responsibilities and must be balanced against the rights and safety of others.
Six locations under investigation
The PSNI identified the following locations where unnotified processions took place:
• Shankill Road, west Belfast
• Dunloy, County Antrim
• Tennent Street, north Belfast
• Bangor, County Down
• Waterside area, Derry/Londonderry
• Newtownabbey, County Antrim
Police have not provided details of the organisers, the number of people involved or whether any arrests have been made in connection with the processions.
The confirmation that six separate incidents are under investigation places renewed attention on the legal requirements surrounding public parades and how police respond when those requirements are not followed.
Police emphasise rights and responsibilities
Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally stressed that participating in a public procession is a protected right, but said that right must be exercised within the law.
He said:
“The right to participate in a public procession is a fundamental human right. However, this is balanced by the need to uphold the rights of others, protect public health and safety, minimise disruption to normal life and by the need to prevent and detect crime.
“As part of this, a procession is required to submit lawful notification before proceeding and the absence of this notification may constitute an offence.
“This assessment is informed by public safety, the prevention of disorder and the need that any response is lawful, necessary and proportionate.”
Warning to procession organisers
The PSNI has reminded those planning parades and public processions that they are responsible for meeting the relevant notification requirements and engaging with police.
ACC McNally said:
“We would remind anyone organising a public procession or parade of their responsibility to comply with the relevant notification requirements and engage with police.
“We will protect the rights of everyone, and we will continue to monitor the situation and engage with those involved.”
Investigations remain ongoing
The absence of the required notification may constitute a criminal offence, although an unnotified procession does not, by itself, establish that any individual has committed an offence.
Police have not announced the outcome of any of the six investigations or confirmed whether files will be submitted for consideration of prosecution.
For now, the six enquiries remain active, with the PSNI signalling that it will continue to monitor the situation while balancing the right to peaceful procession against public safety and the rights of the wider community.
