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Council took 'no action' over UDA 'show of strength' at community centre

One of the images that circulated on social media of a "band competition" in Sandy Row Community Centre featuring men in masks and balaclavas
One of the images that circulated on social media of a "band competition" in Sandy Row Community Centre featuring men in masks and balaclavas One of the images that circulated on social media of a "band competition" in Sandy Row Community Centre featuring men in masks and balaclavas

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BELFAST City Council has been urged to combat the “blight” of paramilitarism after it emerged no action was taken over a UDA “show of strength” at one of their community centres.

What was dubbed an “indoor band competition” in March 2014 at Sandy Row Community Centre in south Belfast featured an appearance of men in paramilitary regalia including masks and balaclavas.

Images of the event were posted on social media by a Scottish loyalist who was allegedly ordered to leave Northern Ireland by paramilitaries as a result, while Belfast City Council vowed to carry out a “full investigation” into the sinister display.

A spokesperson said at the time the council regretted the event that “appears to endorse a paramilitary organisation”, and described it as a “clear breach of the terms and conditions for booking in our facilities”.

Following the event, Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Hargey said: “The UDA show of strength at the weekend in the Sandy Row Community Centre was totally unacceptable. This is a council facility that was rented out to the Sandy Row Ulster First flute band when this incident occurred.

“As a council facility it is open to all sections of the community for numerous events and actions such as this will only keep people away.”

However, in a recent statement to the Irish News, Belfast City Council confirmed no action was taken against those behind the event following a probe.

“Having conducted a thorough investigation, Belfast City Council has determined that the event organiser did not breach the terms and conditions for the hire of our facilities, as they had no prior knowledge that the incident would be taking place,” a spokeswoman said.

“The incident was the result of an intervention by an outside body into the event. Therefore, as a result of this investigation, the council views the matter as closed.”

The issue has now been raised with the council’s chief executive by Alliance councillor Emmet McDonough Brown.

“As if it needs saying in 2017, community centres should never be used for paramilitary displays,” said the councillor, who was elected to represent the Botanic District Electoral Area two months after the event.

“The council has a duty to ratepayers to defend shared space and investigate rigorously any intrusion of this nature. Residents in Sandy Row are sick of the blight paramilitaries bring to their proud community and they deserve better.

“I have written to the chief executive to determine whether the PSNI were informed, and whether a formal police investigation occurred.”

In March 2014, the PSNI said they were “aware” of the incident and “enquiries are ongoing”.

The Irish News contacted the PSNI to ask if a formal investigation took place, but no response was received.