THIRTEEN members of a loyalist flute band have successfully appealed convictions for provocatively playing a sectarian tune outside a Catholic Church in north Belfast.
Prosecutors did not oppose their challenge to the guilty verdicts - but only because they consented to being bound over to keep the peace for two years.
Charges had been brought against the defendants, all members of the Young Conway Volunteers, due to their actions during a Twelfth of July parade back in 2012.
It was previously claimed they took part in a rendition of the Famine Song while marching in a circle at St Patrick's Church on Donegall Street.
The band members were accused of doing a provocative act likely to cause public disorder or a breach of the peace.
They denied playing the controversial tune, declared racist by senior judges in Scotland, which includes the line 'The famine's over, why don't you go home?'.
Instead, they claimed to have been performing the Beach Boys hit 'Sloop John B'.
The episode outside the church marked the first in a series of flashpoint incidents at the location.
Among the defendants were: Aaron McCrory ( 29) of Argyle Court; Alan Adlam (42) from Dewey Street; Christopher McKay (24) of Wallasey Park; Bryan Green (27) from Canmore Court; Stephen Smyth (22) of Tennent Street; William Carlisle (30) from Ainsworth Avenue; Jonathan Airdrie (25) from Columbia Street; Paul Shaw (35) of Geoffrey Street; Thomas Gibney (36) from Lawnbrook Avenue - all in Belfast - and Ryan Aitcheson (28) of Ravelston Avenue in Newtownabbey.
Charges were also brought against three youths at the time of the incident.
During the original contested hearing at Belfast Magistrates' Court defence lawyers played songs by a Swedish folk singer, a Star Trek enthusiast and football fan chants - all to the same tune - in a bid to have their clients cleared.
Paul Shaw, band leader on the day of the parade, was the only one of the accused to give evidence.
He said they had been forced to stop outside the church due to a break in the parade and started up the Beach Boys tune to ward off lethargy among members tired from the previous night's celebrations.
In April the 13 defendants were all convicted, with three of them - Aaron McCrory, Christopher McKay and Jonathan Airdrie - receiving five-month suspended prison sentences.
Fines of £300 were imposed on all but two of the youngest accused, while binding over orders were also handed down as part of the sentencing process.
A challenge to the convictions was due to be heard at Belfast County Court yesterday.
But instead it was confirmed that the Public Prosecution Service would not be resisting the case.
The outcome was reached after each of the defendants agreed to being bound over in the sum of £50 to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years.
Outside court Mr Shaw said justice had been done.
"We fought this for three years and we wouldn't have if we didn't believe it was a just cause."
Solicitor John Greer, who represented 12 of the defendants, added: "No offence was ever intended to the residents and parishioners of the church.
"Common sense has prevailed and my clients want to put the matter behind them."
Writing on Facebook following the successful appeal, Aaron McCrory wrote: "With a few others celebrating our victory today it might not seem much to some people but to others an wat happens after (to)day will have a big impact on the loyalist community".
