BELFAST - A High Court challenge to a decision preventing an Orange Order march from proceeding along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown has heard details of a Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) security assessment.

The assessment, presented during judicial review proceedings, stated it was "almost certain" that republican dissidents were among those who gathered on the road in recent weeks and "possible" that they had access to firearms, which could be used to attack police.

However, the assessment did not state that the weapons could have been used against Orangemen or loyalists, contrary to claims made by some politicians.

The PSNI assessment was prepared after the Parades Commission, which adjudicates on contentious marches, banned the Portadown District LOL No.1 from walking along Garvaghy Road on its return route from a church service at Drumcree Parish Church.

The decision prompted widespread anger among unionist politicians and led to protests on the road, with some demonstrators staying overnight on a hill near the church.

During the legal challenge, counsel for the Orangemen quoted from the PSNI assessment, describing the potential for violence as "possible" but not "probable". The assessment reportedly contained numerous conditional phrases.

A separate claim that the Parades Commission met with representatives of the UVF and UDA prior to making its decision has also emerged in court. It is understood the commission sought the views of these groups on the potential for violence if the march were to proceed.

The details emerged as the judicial review hearing continues in Belfast. The Orange Order is challenging the Secretary of State's decision to uphold the Parades Commission's ban.

No ruling has been made in the case.