Alderman Sonia Copeland said:

“The scenes of pro-IRA singing and chanting at Feile an Phobail on Sunday evening are shocking but sadly not a surprise as this has become a regular occurrence.  There are questions for the organisers in light of the videos that have emerged. 

“As Councillors for Belfast we all have a duty to the wellbeing and community relations of the City.  It is only right that we scrutinise events that avail of public funds and use public facilities.  This behaviour being replicated year after year is damaging and it sends the wrong message out to young people for it to go unchallenged. 

“The glorification and celebration of terrorist groups by chanting crowds is vile and should not be facilitated within a Council-owned park.  We need to hear from the organisers of Feile an Phobail as to how they intend to tackle this behaviour.”