R IRISH (HS) deploy in support of the RUC.

The Home Service battalions of The Royal Irish Regiment were deployed in support of Northern Ireland's police service, the Royal Ulster Constabulary, following serious civil disorder and acts of terrorism across the Province.

The disorder, predominantly loyalist led, came after the RUC enforced a ban on aspects of the local Orange Order's annual parade to Drumcree Church on the outskirts of Portadown. The parade's return route, after a church service, would normally have marched along the majority-nationalist area of the Garvaghy Road. This march had always been contentious, especially since the beginning of 'The Troubles' when more structured opposition groups had been formed by Garvaghy's residents. The Chief Constable therefore, on 6 July 1996, announced that in the interests of public order he was banning the parade from marching through the nationalist Garvaghy area.

After days of widespread loyalist protest and violent civil disorder, the ban was reversed and the parade permitted to march along the Garvaghy Road. This was followed by nationalist protests and serious rioting and deaths in addition to a loyalist terrorist murder. Throughout this period, Royal Irish Regiment Home Service battalions supported the RUC in operations to counter all violence and acts of terrorism, but the Drumcree March continued to be a flashpoint in the years that followed.