The Ulster Unionist Party’s East Antrim MLA John Stewart, has said that the Larne FC player pictured wearing a t-shirt with a pro IRA slogan should never play for the Club again.

John Stewart said:

“The Larne player pictured with a pro IRA slogan on a shirt should never play for the club again.  

“All Northern Ireland’s Irish league clubs are cross community including our local teams Larne FC and Carrick Rangers FC.

“The teams are made up of people who come from different backgrounds and will have different political outlooks.  What people do in their spare time and what their religious and political allegiances are is nobody else’s business.

“However, there is a line that can never be crossed and that is showing support for any terrorist organisation of any political background.

“This society is coming out of three decades where bombings and shootings were used to cause untold misery and suffering.

“To be seen to be sympathetic to an IRA terrorist campaign where thousands of people were killed is beyond the pale.

“Both Irish league players in that photo - including the one who posted it on his social media account - need to search their consciences and realise they have questions to answer. As do their employers.

“The bottom line is John Herron should never play for Larne FC again.”