Post by Wasp on May 29, 2010 18:00:37 GMT
MLA criticised over parade comments
A NORTH Antrim MLA has been accused of "destroying community relations" after a weekend parade in Ballymena.
Sinn Fein's Daithi McKay claimed that supporters of the Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster parade on Saturday night shouted abuse and derogatory comments about murdered Catholic teenager Michael McIlveen.
In a statement to a newspaper, Mr McKay said bandsmen played The Sash past pubs on William Street and claimed they were "motivated by bigotry and sectarianism".
His comments were challenged last night by a spokesman for the Ballymena Parades and Bands Forum, who claimed Sinn Fein has stood "side by side with well-known local dissident republicans" in creating tension at the march.
"We would totally refute the allegations made by Mr McKay, indeed the report was inaccurate – this was not even an Orange Order march," said the spokesman.
"A number of the bandsmen taking part were spat on, had coins thrown at them, as well as sectarian abuse and taunts."
The spokesman said the Ballykeel band who had hosted the event did not have any connection with the murder of Michael McIlveen, and that Saturday night's parade was not "contentious".
"Again we have had people who have travelled a long way to be offended by this march. Mr McKay and these protestors have sought out confrontations side by side with well known local dissident republicans.
"Mr McKay is hell-bent on destroying the significant progress made in community relations here in Ballymena.
"The Ballymena Parades and Bands Forum have engaged with nationalists in Ballymena over the last number of years and significant progress has been made, and we will not allow that to be destroyed
"This was a very successful and well-run parade with 67 bands in attendance, which brought a lot of business to the Ballymena area," he added.
A NORTH Antrim MLA has been accused of "destroying community relations" after a weekend parade in Ballymena.
Sinn Fein's Daithi McKay claimed that supporters of the Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster parade on Saturday night shouted abuse and derogatory comments about murdered Catholic teenager Michael McIlveen.
In a statement to a newspaper, Mr McKay said bandsmen played The Sash past pubs on William Street and claimed they were "motivated by bigotry and sectarianism".
His comments were challenged last night by a spokesman for the Ballymena Parades and Bands Forum, who claimed Sinn Fein has stood "side by side with well-known local dissident republicans" in creating tension at the march.
"We would totally refute the allegations made by Mr McKay, indeed the report was inaccurate – this was not even an Orange Order march," said the spokesman.
"A number of the bandsmen taking part were spat on, had coins thrown at them, as well as sectarian abuse and taunts."
The spokesman said the Ballykeel band who had hosted the event did not have any connection with the murder of Michael McIlveen, and that Saturday night's parade was not "contentious".
"Again we have had people who have travelled a long way to be offended by this march. Mr McKay and these protestors have sought out confrontations side by side with well known local dissident republicans.
"Mr McKay is hell-bent on destroying the significant progress made in community relations here in Ballymena.
"The Ballymena Parades and Bands Forum have engaged with nationalists in Ballymena over the last number of years and significant progress has been made, and we will not allow that to be destroyed
"This was a very successful and well-run parade with 67 bands in attendance, which brought a lot of business to the Ballymena area," he added.
