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Belfast Telegraph
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Féile representative tells council ‘no complaints' received over pro-IRA chants at festival
A Belfast Féile representative has told Belfast City Council it has received no complaints about 'pro-IRA chants' at the annual festival following a series of controversial concerts at Falls Park. TUV representative Ron McDowell quizzed the Féile an Phobail representative about what is being done to reduce expressions of support for terror during a Belfast City Licensing Committee meeting which was told there has been a reduction in the number of noise complaints. The councillor welcomed what he described as 'moves in the right direction' but said questions remain when it comes to 'inclusivity, and making everybody feel welcome' at the event. "Has there been any discussion or any movement towards the reduction of pro-IRA chants, which would make the event more hospitable to people from right across the city?' he asked. The Féile representative replied: 'Again, we engage very widely with elected reps right across the city, as well as with community organisations, and others concerned. "We had no complaints over the last couple of years directed to us, around anything that was taking place at the festival. Mr McDowell has welcomed enhanced cooperation with police as councillors approved a request to permit the planned entertainment to run beyond 11pm on up to six nights during the event which will run from Friday August 1 to Sunday August 10. It is expected the entertainment will run to 1am on two of the nights – Saturday August 2 and Friday August 8. During the committee meeting at City Hall, elected representatives were told by council officials that 76 noise complaints were received over the period of last year's festival which was a reduction from the 120 received in 2023. The Féile representative said: 'We have had a meeting with the PSNI, and furnished them with all the details of all the evenings concerned, as well as the full event plans, which also went to City Council. "We work very closely with various council teams, including Licensing and Parks, Building Control and Community Safety Teams, and operate hand in hand with the council in the festival period, along with the PSNI.' They added: 'We have a very substantial operation that kicks in from mid July, where we have a number of residential consultation events, including the resident's letter, which goes far and wide, particularly into the houses which are quite close to the event space. "All our committees, which work on a year-round basis to help programme the festival, all involve local people. "We are very well connected to the festival and the local community. 'There was a significant reduction in complaints received last year, and that probably was the result of having a noise consultant on site during those evenings when music was played in the Falls Park.' The representative confirmed the noise consultant would be on-site again this year as they said 'we are happy to take on board any advice or guidance towards this year's events' in relation to pro-IRA chants at previous events. 'Or anything the council would ask us to follow up on,' they said. 'But we have received no complaints, the PSNI are present at all these events, and they didn't record anything either or come to us with any issues. "Nor did any of the other statutory agencies involved.' Up the 'RA chanting at Feile Wolfe Tones finale Over three years ago, the DUP and Sinn Fein clashed at City Hall over The Wolfe Tones concerts in Falls Park. Belfast City Council agreed to subject events in public parks to an annual review. In March 2022, then DUP councillor Brian Kingston, who is now an MLA, condemned: 'the use of a council park where there is a concert, and from the stage there is singing and the leading of young people to the chanting of support for paramilitary organisations.' He said: 'I am referring to the Wolfe Tones concert in Falls Park, in our park. "There is nothing else on the same scale as this. "It remains a stain on the Féile, and a stain on this council.' The Wolfe Tones played a 'farewell to west Belfast' gig last summer as part of the Feile festival. In previous years, major funders of the festival have expressed concern after pro-IRA chanting during Wolfe Tones sets after video footage emerged showing many fans singing 'Ooh, ah, up the 'RA'.
Belfast Telegraph
02-07-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Police issue penalties after abuse directed at bands at Belfast Somme events
The 23-year-old was detained on suspicion of disorderly behaviour. An officer also sustained a minor injury, having been struck on the head by a bottle during the parade. The arrest took place in the Castle Street area of the city centre at 8.50pm. Separately, a 19-year-old man was issued with a community resolution notice after shouting at a passing band in Royal Avenue. A 16-year-old boy was also cautioned for shouting offensive slogans at a lodge member while it passed through Castle Place. Though no offences were detected, a small grouping of young people were also noted to be acting disorderly in the Short Strand area. TUV councillor Ron McDowell branded the incidents as intolerance. 'Attacks on Orange parades have been reported in multiple locations across the city, both verbal and physical in nature,' he said. "The lodge I have been a member of for many years came under both verbal abuse and physical harassment on Royal Avenue. 'Similar reports are coming in from other areas as well.' News Catchup - July 1st 2025 Mr McDowell said 'this kind of intolerance is nothing new'. "Anyone who has been a member of the Loyal Orders for any length of time will have their own experiences to share,' he added.
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
North Belfast sectarian attacks: Paul McCusker calls for OFMDFM support
The first and deputy first ministers have been called on to publicly condemn sectarian attacks on homes in north councillor Paul McCusker, who has written to Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly, said they need to "come out, show commitment and get behind these families".TUV councillor Ron McDowell said local residents are living in "terror and fear".It comes after masonry was thrown at properties in Annalee Street and Alloa Street on Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they have stepped up patrols in the area. On Friday, a number of residents said they planned to leave their said those targeted were "young girls in their early 20s with babies in their arms"."When they say their houses have been attacked - there are no windows in their homes – they are completely boarded up with a threat of a repeat visit," he said there was an issue with police resources in north-west Belfast. "I don't doubt that the police are doing what they can – they stepped up yesterday and pledged more – they now have the alarms that people can press - but they don't appear to have the resources to deal with this adequately," he said there was a high density of peace walls in the area. "There is a lot of insecurity around community displacement – there are predators within the community within paramilitary gangs who would play on the fears of the local inhabitants, who are protective of homes for their own people and their children," he said."This has been a minority group of Catholic houses that have been targeted in a predominantly unionist area."Incidents along the peace line are nothing new though they don't often get reported - they go on for months and it can be a living hell for people in those areas." Following a meeting between the affected families, police and community representatives on Sunday, McCusker said most families want to stay, but "no one can guarantee their safety".McCusker called for the NI Executive to intervene and for the first and deputy first ministers to "come out and call this out for what it is". Speaking to BBC News NI on Monday, he said: "I mean this is a major problem, you know, north Belfast is one of the most divided parts of Belfast, and a lot more work needs to done to ensure that people regardless if you're Catholic or Protestant or whatever religion you are, that you're entitled to live in a safe home in any community."He added: "It's a massive big upheaval in anybody's life, particularly if you're homeless for eight years to then get a new house and then to be treated this way is just shocking."He said the sectarian attacks are "becoming more of a problem here in north Belfast" and are "not being reported enough". "And we're aware of other families in recent months this has happened to as well and we need that commitment from first minister and deputy first minister to actually to come out, show commitment and get behind these families." 'Sectarian-motivated hate crime' PSNI Supt Allister Hagan said: "We are treating what happened in these residential areas not just as criminal damage, but sectarian-motivated hate crime - which is totally unacceptable."This will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with our partners, housing provider, community representatives and local residents in relation to these issues."Police have been "regularly patrolling these areas at varying intervals to deter crime and provide reassurance to the community," Supt Hagan added. "In addition, we have been meeting with residents regularly to listen to their concerns and offer practical support." Clanmil Housing said it has been on site over the a statement, a spokesperson said: "Some families have left their homes at this time, and we have provided alternative temporary accommodation where needed."We absolutely condemn the continued and unprovoked threat to families living peacefully in their homes. Everyone should be allowed to live safely in their home, free from any type of intimidation or threat." The NI Executive office has been contacted for comment.
