YOU might think the provocative, preposterous demand to march along Garvaghy Road, which has so dismayed most people north and south, is to do with the DUP’s problems.

Many on social media think so. They note that the demand was driven by what, for want of a better word, are described as ‘politicians’ in the DUP, before leading figures from all other unionist parties piled in.

To complete the tribal array, even poor, lost Doug Beattie, in a pitiful attempt to save his political skin next May, declared his support for Orangemen marching on Garvaghy Road.

He’ll lose anyway and deserves to lose because of that.

Aoife Moore: The DUP is still fighting the pointless battles of yesterday

Brian Feeney: DUP and Orange Order know there won’t be Garvaghy Road march – but that’s not the point

Those posting on social media have noted that the DUP’s former leader, Donaldson, is to be sentenced this month; but also that MP Jim Shannon has been charged with common assault after a long-running investigation; that Westminster’s standards commission in investigating Sammy Wilson for allegedly “failing to declare an interest”; and Gregory Campbell is also being investigated for potential breaches of expenses rules.

Keyboard warriors therefore conclude that the Garvaghy ploy is a grandiose ‘dead cat’ strategy.

Namely, when discussion turns to unwelcome matters, you throw........

© The Irish News