Twelfth band play at Catholic church

Published Friday, 13 July 2012
Comments
Toggle font size
Print

Police are studying footage of a loyalist band performing what has been described as "sectarian tunes" in front of a Catholic Church during the Twelfth of July parades in Belfast.

Video available to UK viewers only.
We’re sorry. This video is unavailable from your location.

To find out if this video is available to you, we need to know what region you live in. Please enter your postcode below (including space).

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for confirming your region.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are sorry but this video is not available on u.tv in your region. Your region is listed below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you in Northern Ireland?

1. Why is my postcode required?

We are asking you to insert your postcode before watching some videos to confirm you can access the video content via u.tv.

This is because some videos on u.tv are only available in Northern Ireland.

Don't worry, we won't store or use this information for any other purpose.

If you are not in Northern Ireland, the content may be available to watch at itv.com or stv.tv.

2. Why am I directed to itv.com or stv.tv when I try to view certain clips?

The videos, which are not available on u.tv to users outside Northern Ireland, will be available to those users on itv.com (for users in England and Wales) or stv.tv (for most users in Scotland).

We need to know where you are in order to make sure you are getting the right content.

If you think we've got your location wrong, then please click here.

Need more help? Contact us

Band members wearing the uniform of the Shankill's Young Conway Volunteers Flute Band were filmed after they stopped at St Patrick's Catholic Church in Donegall Street during the main parade.

The footage, which emerged on video-sharing site YouTube, lasts over two minutes.

It was recorded by a Sinn Féin activist on Thursday and shows the band circling in front of the Church. Two band members then approach the man filming the scene and appear to attack him.

Police said they are aware of the incident and officers intervened.

"During a parade through the area it was observed that two bands continued to play whilst stationary outside the church," a PSNI statement read.

"Although it was deemed that this was not in breach of a Parades Commission determination, officers liaised with parade stewards to negotiate an end to this action. Police evidence gatherers were also tasked to the area to monitor and record the incident.

A considerable amount of footage has been recorded and will be studied closely. If any criminal offences are detected a full and thorough investigation will be carried out.

PSNI

"Officers intervened when a member of the public privately recording the incident was approached by a group of men," police added.

"Throughout this incident police worked closely with stewards and organisers to resolve the situation peacefully."

North Belfast Sinn Féin Councillor Conor Maskey was in the area at the time and witnessed part of the incident.

He said the Orange Order needs to explain the actions of the band.

"The Orange Order needs to explain to the St Patrick's congregation why a loyalist band taking part in their parade played sectarian tunes and behaved provocatively outside St Patrick's Church yesterday," he said.

"The person filming was then attacked by a member of the band."

Mr Maskey continued: "Unionist politicians Nigel Dodds and Nelson McCausland were in close proximity at the time yet did nothing to intervene. It is time for the Orange Order to show leadership, step into the 21st century and got rid of the organisation's anti-catholic sectarian ethos.

"Until that happens, then clearly this bigoted side of the organisation will continue to manifest itself in incidents like yesterday."

However it has been suggested that the band didn't deliberately stopped in front of the church during a parade delay.

A Belfast County Grand Lodge spokesperson told UTV: "The institution reviews all parades and will take any issues into account in that review."

© UTV News
Comments Comments
168 Comments
James Murray in Belfast wrote (337 days ago):
Nadine , Aye ok !! If Republicans in NI were peaceful people there wouldnt be any hatered , it would be a true and civilised democratic society, Oliver Cromwell was English Republican remember !!!. Some people talk some amount of rubbish on here, you need to face the facts, these people went out their way on the 12th of july to be offended, no protest no hassel ! everyone knows Republicans work their hand at every oportunity they are pathetic & never will be trusted untill they start being logical and understand our people with our British Protestant/Loyalist culture live here also. Deny us our right to exist if you will, this is our country and we are going no where !
Noodles in Belfast wrote (337 days ago):
There was a mass being held in St Patrick's when the Orange Order and their band were going past as i was there. The scene was just dreadful. Members of the OO were urinating on the steps of the church.....would they do this on the steps of their own place of worship. OF COURSE NOT! They did this solely BECAUSE IT WAS A CATHOLIC CHURCH and were showing themselves up to be the bigoted racists that they TRULY ARE. It was so bad that when mass ended we had to go out the back way. Their sectarian tunes were being blasted when they obviously knew there was a morning mass on (as there ALWAYS is in St Patrick's)and done plainly to rile up the Catholic Community from that area and if trouble started they could blame the "Republicans". I totally agree this so called all inclusive order needs banned completely and they should be paying the cost of the policing bill. Speaking of which they were useless that day as well. As orange men were always urinating at people's property and when a woman confronted the police to ask was that kind of behavious allowed, he blantly ignored her and turned a blind eye!!!! What does that tell you about the police???
SARAH in BELFAST wrote (337 days ago):
Michael H - please read my comment on the other story regarding this. Open minded Catholic here who was prepared 2 enjoy the 12th. I went completely with an open mind. the OO ruined it 4 me & my children I now have 2 try 2 explain what various sectarian comments mean 2 my 4year old nice work OO!! however the people saying these horrendous words were standing with their own children at their side!! I couldnt help but wonder y these young children wernt asking the same questions as mine & the only conclusion I could come 2 was that they have heard it many times before & that these views r going 2 b forever carved into theyre tiny brains. God help us all cus these children r the orange order of the future!! :O
Michael H in Belfast wrote (337 days ago):
Yes Lauren in Antrim, just like yourself who doesn't get that Catholics can also be Loyalist and hold British passports. Oh and can actually enjoy the 12th. Heaven forbid. There is no talking to people like you. You can see it on here all the time so no wonder the Orange Order doesn't talk. It would get them nowhere but round and round in circles lol
david in crumlin wrote (338 days ago):
I am not against protestant faith and would support it if it was not connected to the orange lodge, no catholic in their right mind would be happy to have these thugs march through their area they are the kkk of the catholic community and to try to make this an attraction is laughable, if not insulting. Eventually these racists will be forced to have their meetings in the forest at night just like the kkk, but instead of burning the cross they hide behind their faith but dont be fooled, there is nothing christian about this organisation. nationalists are not against protestant people or indeed the queen but against the orange order. If protestant people paraded without these racists you can march through any area you like
POST A COMMENT:
Name:  
Email address*:    
Location:  
Validation:
House Rules:  
Your Comment:  
[All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Your name, location and comment will be displayed on this page if your post passes moderation.]
MOST POPULAR GALLERIES
Obama in Northern Ireland
Mon 17 June 2013
BGT: The semi-finals
Thu 30 May 2013