The TUV has raised concerns after what the party called an ‘llegal Republican parade’ is understood to have taken place in the Dunclug area of Ballymena on Monday evening, 8 August.
A video widely circulated on social media shows a band and colour party, along with a group of supporters, marching in the local estate. The crowd can be heard shouting pro-IRA chants.
TUV Party Leader and North Antrim MLA Jim Allister said:
“Following the event on Monday night past, I wrote to the PSNI raising several concerns. TUV has since learned that no 11/1 was submitted and yet a parade took place as is clear from many posts on social media. I understand that there was a police evidence gathering operation in place from 9pm and that there were a number of anti-social behaviour incidents on the evening which can be directly linked to the Republican event.
“It is the example set by the leaders of Sinn Fein in constantly glorifying murder which teaches young people to do likewise. Such coattrailing parades are a corollary to the antics of the Sinn Fein leadership.”
TUV Councillor Matthew Armstrong added:
“Given the approach the PSNI have taken to loyalists following relatively minor incidents, I will be expecting a swift and robust police response. There were clearly numerous examples of law-breaking on Monday evening and many have been rightly disgusted by the pro-IRA chanting which took place. Such celebration of murder can not be tolerated in a healthy society”.
Commenting on the video, police said they are aware of a video circulating on social media in relation to a parade on Monday, 8 August, in the Dunclug area of Ballymena.
Chief Inspector Arnie O’Neill said:
“We are working to establish the facts surrounding this video and our enquiries are ongoing.
“We are appealing to anyone who may have any information that could assist us to contact 101, quoting reference number 1864 of 08/08/22.”
Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ . You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.