Following the publication of a video showing the Republic of Ireland Women`s football team singing a pro-IRA song as they celebrated qualification for the Women`s World Cup, Ulster Unionist Party Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA said:

“Having seen the video, the conduct of the Republic of Ireland Women’s football team is just disgraceful. For celebrations of qualifying for the Women`s World Cup to turn into singing in glorification of the IRA, a terrorist group that murdered thousands of men, women and children, is just inexcusable.  

“The FAI (Football Association of Ireland) needs to respond robustly to this. The apology needs to be for the actions of the women, not just the hurt caused. There needs to be evidence of reflection and education as to why this type of behaviour is so harmful and so utterly wrong.”