Video footage appearing to show sectarian abuse directed towards members of the Royal Black Institution as they paraded through Newry at the weekend has been condemned, as the TUV confirmed the party has written to the PSNI chief constable.
The parades in the city were part of the traditional finale of the marching season known as the Last Saturday, with around 17,000 members from 350 preceptories parading across Northern Ireland.
Abuse directed at Black Saturday marchers in Newry
As the parade in Newry passed a cocktail bar in the Trevor Hill area of the city, video footage shared by the TUV appears to show people on the bar’s terrace chanting the rebel song ‘Go on home, British soldiers’ and shouting sectarian slurs at those passing.
Keith Ratcliffe, the chairman of the TUV, confirmed the party has written to the PSNI in the aftermath of the incident.
“I write to draw your attention to a video which is circulating on social media showing the abuse hurled at the Royal Black Institution parade in Newry on Saturday,” he said.
“I have been approached by a number of people who were on the receiving end of this abuse who have asked me to raise the incident.
“They feel, as do I that there is little excuse for a lack of action by the police given that so many of those involved in this repulsive behaviour are clearly identifiable in the video.
“The restraint and dignity displayed by those on parade is the only reason why this incident did not turn even more ugly than it was.
“I write to inquire what police officers did on the day to address this matter and what action will now be taken against those who can, as noted above, clearly be identified in the video.”
The PSNI has been contacted for a response.