The PSNI has admitted the incident is a sectarian hate crime, but has
declined to take action against it or other offensive and sectarian
Every year across loyalist areas, 鈥楨leventh鈥 bonfires see the symbolic
burning of Irish flags and symbols, nationalist election posters, and
sometimes, effigies, accompanied by anti-Catholic slogans and threats.
The bonfires take place on the eve of July 12th, the biggest day of the
year for sectarian parades by the anti-Catholic Orange Order.
Unionist politicians, local councils and the PSNI turn a blind eye,
effectively sanctioning and supporting the annual displays of hate, some
of which actually receive state funding.
And once again, the danger to human life of loyalist bonfire building is
being ignored, with several buildings already under threat.
A bonfire in Belfast鈥檚 Hopewell Square torched nearby homes, causing
extensive damage and endangering residents in 2016. In a blatant
disregard for safety, bonfire materials have this year reappeared near
the same site, directly behind a hospital clinic, despite 拢40,000 in
public funds being spent to supposedly transform part of the area into a
鈥榗ommunity garden鈥.
Meanwhile, some unionist politicians continue to align with the
sectarian marching displays.
DUP Councillor Dean McCullough pledged to stand 鈥渟houlder to shoulder鈥
with a band that played the anti-Catholic anthem 鈥淣o Pope of Rome鈥 at
the controversial 鈥楾our of the North鈥 parade in Belfast last weekend.
Tigers Bay Loyal Flute Band was filmed playing the sectarian favourite
during last Friday鈥檚 parade in north Belfast as loyalist followers
chanted the lyrics.
The 鈥楴o Pope of Rome鈥 song includes the words 鈥淣o, no Pope of Rome, no
chapels to sadden my eyes, no nuns and no priests, no Rosary beads,
every day is the Twelfth of July鈥.
Posting before the parade Mr McCullough said: 鈥淭his is more than a
parade. It鈥檚 about identity, community and standing tall. Let them hear
Other DUP representatives have been caught up in similar controversies
in recent weeks, including north Belfast MLA Phillip Brett, Stormont
education minister Paul Givan, Edwin Poots, who is the assembly speaker,
MLA Jonathan Buckley, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart and Lisburn and
Castlereagh City councillor James Tinsley.
Despite the provocations and escalated tensions, the 鈥楾our of the
North鈥, once a notorious source of conflict, passed without violence.
North Belfast Alliance representative Nuala McAllister called for the
鈥渄eeply disappointing鈥 sectarianism to end.
鈥淚t appears to be a repeated occurrence lately, particularly following
the death of Pope Francis, and only adds to the hurt already caused by
similar incidents,鈥 she said.