Gang involved in stabbing take part in Apprentice Boys parade

For Immediate Release: 17/04/2006

Sinn Féin have voiced their concern after members of the sectarian gang involved in the stabbing of a young Catholic in Ballymena at the weekend were spotted participating in the Apprentice Boys parade in Ballymena today.

Ballymena Councillor Monica Digney said:

“I have had a number of complaints from local people about members of the gang involved in the stabbing attack at the weekend were literally ‘dancing’ past locals standing at the bottom of Market Road whilst participating in the Apprentice Boys Parade today.

“The PSNI again seemed to turn a blind eye to loyalists drinking on the streets, something that seems to be a regular thing that occurs when loyalist parades are passing through the north of the town.”

North Antrim Sinn Féin Councillor Daithí McKay, who was acting as an observer at the parade, said that the parade was ‘awash with paramilitary paraphernalia.’

“We have noted at least 13 bands who were carrying loyalist paramilitary flags as well as many others who played ‘The Sash’ continuously past Catholic houses and the All Saints Church. One band even had a full bannerette dedicated to Noel Kinner, a UVF member who was convicted for killing a Catholic in Belfast.

“The question must be asked why the parade organisers thought it appropriate to include bands with strong links to loyalist paramilitaries in a parade that was going to march past nationalist homes. Given the evidence on display it is clear that the DUP’s excuse that these bands are referring to the ‘UVF of 1916’ does not hold any credibility with nationalist residents in this town.”