An SDLP MLA has called for clearer hate crime laws after the PSNI concluded no offences were committed after video emerged of a flute band appearing to play a sectarian song at an Irish League side’s social club.
The video, which first circulated in August, showed a band playing ‘The Billy Boys’ as a number of people sang along in Coleraine FC’s social club.
One man waved two small Union flags, while ‘Welcome to Coleraine Social Club’ signs and club crests could be seen above the bar in the background.
Chants of “F*** the Pope and Virgin Mary” were also heard during one song in the footage recorded at the social club on the Ballycastle Road.
At the time, the PSNI said they were making “enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the content of the video” which was “being treated as a sectarian-motivated hate incident”.
However, in an update reported by The Irish News, the PSNI said that no offences had been committed.
The PSNI said: “The content of the videos, which were examined in the context of a potential hate incident, were found not to constitute any criminal offence.”
Cara Hunter, an MLA for East Londonderry, said: “Given the video footage of the deeply sectarian singing which took place at this event I cannot fathom how the PSNI have reached this decision.
“We cannot allow hate speech to go unchecked and there needs to be consistency from police around these kinds of offences.
“This again highlights the dire need for standalone hate crime legislation which clearly defines what constitutes a hate incident and when a crime has taken place.”
Ms Hunter said that she will be raising the matter with the PSNI and the Policing Board to understand why the decision was made.
Last month, Justice Minister Naomi Long told MLAs that there was “insufficient time and resource” to introduce a standalone hate crime bill, but committed to making significant reforms through other forthcoming bills.
Mrs Long said she was determined new hate crime legislative provisions will be in place by the end of this Assembly’s mandate.
A new statutory aggravation model will allow for enhanced sentences where the hate motivation is proven in court.
It will also ensure the hate crime element of convictions is included on criminal records, assisting with rehabilitative work in order to reduce the risk of reoffending and further victimisation, by tackling the underlying attitudes.
Coleraine FC launched an investigation after the footage emerged, stating that while they “do not oversee activities that occur during private functions”, they would be reviewing their hiring policy.