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Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Orange Order criticises 'inaccurate and sensationalist' media coverage
The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland (GOLI) has criticised a number of media organisations in Northern Ireland over what it said was "inaccurate, sensationalist and divisive commentary". The GOLI said the BBC's recent coverage about a cross-community sports camp in County Down which was cancelled as residents and an Orange Lodge raised concerns over the "perceived move of the GAA into the local community" , was relentless and unbalanced. In a statement , the GOLI also said the BBC continued to "marginalise Orangeism", criticising its coverage of the Twelfth celebrations. A spokesperson for the BBC said its coverage reflected "their scale and significance for those taking part". "We provided extensive, cross-platform coverage of the Orange Order's 12 July events," they added. "Our multiple news reports were informative and impartial. "And they were complemented by The Twelfth programme on BBCNI television and BBC iPlayer." The Grand Orange Lodge statement also criticised the Belfast Telegraph, Sunday Life and Irish News. It called the Sunday Life's story about the Goldsprings LOL worshipful master "victimisation". "Will the Belfast Telegraph door step the organisers of the Joe Cahill children's GAA Gaelic competition to be held as part of Féile an Phobail?" The GOLI said it had become accustomed to "commentators who are paid to produce content for the Irish News amongst others, spewing bile and intolerance towards anything associated with our culture, our community, and our traditions". The Belfast Telegraph and Irish News have been approached for comment. Plan to rearrange cricket camp after opposition to GAA involvement Deputy first minister 'deeply saddened' after summer camp cancelled The Twelfth celebrations generations in the making 'He gets up in the morning and he drums all day' Thousands attend Twelfth of July parades In pictures: The Twelfth of July celebrations
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Orange Order criticises "inaccurate and sensationalist" reporting
The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland (GOLI) has criticised a number of media organisations in Northern Ireland over what it said was "inaccurate, sensationalist and divisive commentary".The GOLI said the BBC's recent coverage about a cross-community sports camp in County Down which was cancelled as residents and an Orange Lodge raised concerns over the "perceived move of the GAA into the local community" , was relentless and a statement , the GOLI also said the BBC continued to "marginalise Orangeism", criticising its coverage of the Twelfth celebrations.A spokesperson for the BBC said its coverage reflected "their scale and significance for those taking part". "We provided extensive, cross-platform coverage of the Orange Order's 12 July events," they added."Our multiple news reports were informative and impartial."And they were complemented by The Twelfth programme on BBCNI television and BBC iPlayer." The Grand Orange Lodge statement also criticised the Belfast Telegraph, Sunday Life and Irish called the Sunday Life's story are the Goldsprings LOL worshipful master "victimisation"."Will the Belfast Telegraph door step the organisers of the Joe Cahill children's GAA Gaelic competition to be held as part of Féile an Phobail?"The GOLI said it had become accustomed to "commentators who are paid to produce content for the Irish News amongst others, spewing bile and intolerance towards anything associated with our culture, our community, and our traditions".The Belfast Telegraph and Irish News have been approached for comment.
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Community cricket event to be rescheduled after complaint over GAA involvement
A plan has been announced to reschedule a cross-community sports event after it was cancelled when an Orange lodge raised concern at the involvement of the GAA. The North's First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, was among the political representatives who expressed dismay following the cancellation of the event which had been due to take place in Comber, Co Down, on Friday. Advertisement North Down Cricket Club had planned the sport summer camp for young people from different backgrounds, including the involvement of 10 different groups, one of which was the East Belfast GAA. But a local Orange Order lodge said there were concerns among local residents about the 'perceived move of the GAA into the local community'. Children should be allowed to play together at summer camp without facing intolerance. These developments are deeply worrying and unacceptable. Sport has the power to unify. Political representatives must call this out. We need to send a clear message that we will continue… — Michelle O'Neill (@moneillsf) July 15, 2025 In a statement on social media, the North Down Cricket Club said it cancelled the event because it felt the spirit of the camp was at risk of being lost. Responding to commentary on social media, the club said it welcomes people from all walks of life. Advertisement It said the camp had been planned to involve 10 different local sports and community groups — including organisations supporting ethnic minority communities — with the aim of building friendships through shared activity. On Wednesday afternoon, Cricket Ireland announced it plans to step in to arrange a similar sports camp at Stormont. Brian MacNeice, chair of Cricket Ireland (CI), said they are calling on all community leaders to show leadership and actively support this initiative. 'Cricket Ireland and the Northern Cricket Union (NCU) are dismayed and disappointed at the events which have led to the cancellation of the youth sports camp at North Down Cricket Club,' he said. Advertisement 'North Down has been at the forefront of youth development in recent times. Participation in multiple sports by young people has been recognised as having considerable benefits both in sporting terms and mental wellbeing. It can only be to the detriment of the children concerned that this cancellation has occurred. 'Cricket is a sport for all and both CI and NCU actively encourage diversity, inclusion and equality in our game. Working with other sports in the sharing of facilities and the creation of opportunities for young people is a key aspect of this strategy.' Mr MacNeice said Cricket Ireland applauded North Down Cricket Club's initiative in planning the sports camp. 'We are committed to following through on the initiative and Cricket Ireland and the Northern Cricket Union are making plans to run a similar sports camp at Stormont,' he said. Advertisement 'We have therefore approached East Belfast GAA and offered an opportunity to participate in this alternative sports camp which will also include other sports clubs. 'We look forward to further engagement with the GAA, and other governing bodies, for the benefit of all. 'We call on all community leaders to show leadership and actively support this initiative. Sport can bring communities together and we must all act in partnership to ensure this is the case.' Earlier, Ms O'Neill said: 'Children should be allowed to play together at summer camp without facing intolerance. Advertisement 'These developments are deeply worrying and unacceptable. Sport has the power to unify. 'Political representatives must call this out. We need to send a clear message that we will continue moving forward together to build a brighter society and overcome such unacceptable intolerance.' Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong said children were losing out. 'It sends a signal to those who have been doing the intimidating that somehow they were right – they are not, they're wrong,' she told the BBC. 'The majority of people from Comber and people I've spoken to are very angry about this minority, and I think that Comber would rather turn around and say, 'no, everyone's welcome here'.' UUP MLA Doug Beattie also expressed disappointment. 'People may have concerns but we need to put this in perspective, this is about children and we should allow children to be children, and if that's playing sport, then playing sport,' he told the BBC. 'If you've got an issue with the GAA, lets raise it with the GAA, lets not focus on kids.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
John Swinney accused of 'silence' over Orange walk attack
The Orange Lodge of Scotland has claimed a suspected air gun attack on its members has been met with silence from the Scottish have launched an investigation after several marchers were hit by pellets during a procession though Glasgow city centre earlier this month. Following a meeting with government officials in Edinburgh, a senior lodge leader claimed "silence" from the first minister was giving a "green light" to attacks on Protestant groups. John Swinney described acts of violence against the Orange Order as "completely and utterly unacceptable". The Orange Lodge of Scotland said eight people were hit by suspected air gun pellets during a march through Glasgow on 5 July to commemorate the 1690 Battle of the Boyne. No-one was seriously injured. The organisation has also reported that its halls have been vandalised and that female members have been abused online. Parade attack Grand Master Andrew Murray told BBC Scotland News that he had written repeatedly to the first minister but had received no the meeting in Edinburgh, he said he was "severely disappointed" that no ministers attended. Mr Murray claimed "the silence from the first minister itself almost gives a green light to attack our parades".He denied there was any sectarian aspect to the marches, adding: "We have a place in society, we're a law-abiding organisation and we work cross community." David Walters, executive officer of the Orange Lodge of Scotland, claimed that if any other group had been attacked then the incident would have been taken more cited an example of "abhorrent" vandalism at a Catholic school in East Renfrewshire, which Swinney subsequently visited to express Walters said: "The first minister, in days, was over at that school for graffiti, yet when eight people are shot we don't see sight or sound of him."Asked why he though that was the case, he replied: "I think it's because we're a unionist group." 'Cohesive society' Swinney told BBC Scotland News that Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown would meet with the Orange said the incidents raised by the Orange Order should be "properly and fully" first minister added: "I take all forms of hate within our society deadly seriously and all my actions as first minister are designed to address the implications of hate within our society and to make sure that we live in a cohesive society that respects the rule of law." Thousands of people marched in Glasgow on 5 Scotland said the procession was passing along Sauchiehall Street, near Kelvingrove Street, when the the suspected air gun attack force said the following day that four people had been hit and that it was investigating the "dangerous" incident. Elsewhere, four people were arrested following Orange Order processions in sectarian incidents have been reported at Orange walks in recent years. In 2018, a priest was spat on and verbally abused as an Orange walk marched past his church in Glasgow. Bradley Wallace, from South Lanarkshire, was jailed for 10 months over the incident.
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Cross-community kids' summer camp axed after online GAA comments
A cross-community sports summer camp in County Down has been cancelled following social media backlash over the involvement of the GAA. North Down Cricket Club, located in Comber, had intended to host the event for youngsters this Friday. However, the club withdrew the scheme after receiving negative feedback from some sectors, including the local Orange Lodge. Goldsprings of Comber Orange lodge posted on their Facebook earlier on Tuesday that a "number of residents in the Comber area have expressed significant concerns regarding the proposed or perceived move of the GAA into the local community". The cricket club stated that due to comments on social media, the "spirit of the camp was at risk of being lost" and it had decided not to go ahead. The club mentioned that a "small group of children from a GAA club was just one part of that broader mix" of the summer scheme. North Down Cricket Club highlighted its long-standing presence in Comber since 1857 "with deep roots, proud traditions, and a strong sense of identity", reports Belfast Live. It further added: "At North Down, we welcome people from all walks of life. Cricket is a global game made up of many faiths and cultures, and that is reflected here at the green. What unites us is the game. "The sport summer camp was created to give young people from different backgrounds a chance to enjoy cricket, try something new, and simply have fun. The plan was to involve 10 different local sports and community groups - including organisations supporting ethnic minority communities - with the aim of building friendships through shared activity. "A small group of children from a GAA club was just one part of that broader mix. As reaction to the event grew, we felt the spirit of the camp was at risk of being lost. With regret - and out of respect for all involved - we chose not to proceed." The cricket club added: "Respect is not surrender. And our culture is not so fragile that it can't be shared." The full Facebook post from the Goldsprings Lodge read: "A number of residents in the Comber area have expressed significant concerns regarding the proposed or perceived move of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) into the local community. "While the promotion of sport and youth engagement is widely supported across all sectors of society, many local residents have raised reservations about the GAA's cultural and historical affiliations. Specifically, there is unease regarding aspects of the organisation that have, in the past, celebrated or commemorated individuals associated with paramilitary activity. For a shared and peaceful future, such actions are viewed by some as divisive and incompatible with a truly inclusive society." Residents have voiced their stance that until the GAA takes significant steps to ensure inclusivity and sensitivity towards the Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist (PUL) community's history and identity, its developments in Comber will be met with dismay and resistance by many locals. "This issue is not about opposition to sport, but about ensuring that all organisations operating in shared spaces demonstrate respect for all traditions and work proactively towards reconciliation and mutual understanding." First Minister Michelle O'Neill slammed the situation on Facebook, stating: "Children should be allowed to play together at summer camp without facing intolerance. These developments are deeply worrying and unacceptable. Sport has the power to unify. "Political representatives must call this out. We need to send a clear message that we will continue moving forward together to build a brighter society and overcome such unacceptable intolerance." Kellie Armstrong, Alliance MLA, expressed her disillusionment with those targeting the cricket club. She added: "North Down Cricket Club aimed to bring together children from all backgrounds to have them try different activities, interact with each other and most of all, have fun. This summer scheme has now been cancelled due to some online commentary. It is a disgrace the club felt it had to do that in the wake of such criticism. "Those who have criticised the club do not represent the vast majority of people in Comber or further afield in Strangford. The club was trying to bring positivity to the local community and has been met with hostility and bigotry from some quarters. We have contacted the club to give our full support and ensure they are aware the vast majority of the town stands with them. "The people who have criticised the club and forced the postponement of the summer scheme need to realise denying children the right to play sport together for purely sectarian reasons is not acceptable on any level." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
