SFC Fermanagh v Antrim
UNIONISTS have claimed that GAA fans engaged in ‘provocative jeering’ and ‘IRA chants’ towards an Orange parade prior to Sunday’s Ulster Championship clash in Brewster Park.
There was a parade organised by the County Fermanagh Grand Orange Lodge in memory of members of the institution killed during the Troubles. It was claimed that as the parade passed Forthill Street, a number of GAA supporters shouted at the passing parade.
DUP Councillor Keith Elliott and the TUV leader locally, Alex Elliott, said that a number of fans in Enniskillen on Sunday afternoon on Forthill Street, Enniskillen were involved in the incident. It was not thought that the fans were local.
Police have confirmed that they ‘spoke to members of the public at the time about their conduct’.
Councillor Keith Elliott said: “I immediately raised the incident with police in the area but I believe that a statement from the GAA would be appropriate, condemning the actions of those fans in Enniskillen. The GAA obviously cannot be held responsible for the actions of everyone who might attend a match, but it would be a positive step forward for them to clearly distance themselves from the actions of these fans.”
Mr Elliott (TUV) added: “Today (Sunday) in Forthill Street Enniskillen we saw religious intolerance and sectarian bigotry of some of those attached to the GAA. The provocative jeering, IRA chants and waving of Irish tricolours shows what we can expect from those affiliated with he so-called non-political sporting organisation.”
It is not clear if further investigations will take place, however, police have said that they acted on ‘concerns’ at the time.
The GAA, when contacted for a response, did not offer a comment.
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