LOYALIST victims campaigner Willie Frazer has branded participants in a fundraising walk for a Tyrone GAA club as "dissidents" and "republican scum."
The walk for Thomas Clarkes GFC began at Arbour Hill Cemetery in Dublin on Wednesday at the burial place of the club's patron, a key figure in the 1916 Easter Rising, and finished on Sunday in Dungannon with a 5k run and a programme of family entertainment at O’Neill Park.
The proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards a planned new club complex - including a new main pitch, seated stand and floodlights, modern pavilion, as well as indoor training and playing facilities - to co-incide with its centenary next year.
However, at the weekend Mr Frazer posted a video on social media in which he lashed out at the event.
"Apparently some dissidents and their colleagues are walking from Dublin to Dungannon to commemorate 100 years ago the boys leaving Dungannon to go to the Rising.
"I know some of them would certainly need to do a bit of walking when you see the cut of them.
He added: "It is a total and utter disgrace that these people are allowed to go out to commemorate terrorists. Apparently they have walked from Dublin but they probably got the bus to Keady."
The Co Armagh victims campaigner then went on to claim most of those involved "are dissidents" and urged viewers of his video-post to "find out how these people have been given permission to walk 40 miles in Northern Ireland without anybody saying it is contentious."
He said: "We can't walk a few hundred yards without it being contentious.
"There is the Thomas Clarke (sic) GAA club as well...it is not them but obviously they must be connected in some way or another.
Mr Frazer added: "If it is anything to do with the 1916 Rising they will probably be running as that is what most of them did during the Rising."
In a separate post showing posters from the GAA club highlighting the event, Mr Frazer said: "This is what a walk of real shame looks like by Republican scum taking place this weekend. They made sure to take the long road so not too have come past Markethill. Lol"
The postings led to a number of derogatory comments about the fundraiser from Mr Frazer's supporters, including one which read: "A landmine wouldn't go amiss."
Other online comments ridiculed Mr Frazer's video, with one woman stating: "Ahh have you ever heard so much bitterness? There'll be an army there alright to meet them, #TsC25K army which is totally inclusive regardless of religion, nationality and any politics whatsoever."
Thomas Clarkes GAC chairman Damian Cahalane told The Irish News the club was aware of the video but would not be commenting.
