Northern Ireland

Ex-Down GAA star cautioned for 'up the Ra' abuse at loyalist band

Gregory McCartan helping the Mourne men to an All-Ireland title in 1994
Gregory McCartan helping the Mourne men to an All-Ireland title in 1994 Gregory McCartan helping the Mourne men to an All-Ireland title in 1994

AN All-Ireland winner has received a police caution after shouting abuse and pro-IRA chants at a loyalist band.

Former Down GAA star Gregory McCartan was captured in an online video appearing to shout "up the Ra" and expletives at Pride of the Hill flute band during a parade in Newcastle last September.

In a message on Twitter at the time referencing the video, he said: "So much culture on show tonight throughout Ireland. Glad I played my part."

Asked online if he was the person heard chanting, he replied: "Lolz yup."

The original video was later deleted and Mr McCartan posted an apology before deactivating his Twitter account.

"Lesson learned should never have happened. Alcohol no excuse," he tweeted.

Mr McCartan, who played in Down's 1994 All-Ireland-winning campaign, later told The Irish News of the incident: "I regret the whole thing."

Police said a 49-year-old man was interviewed as part of its investigation.

A spokesman said police forwarded a file to officials in the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) "who recommended he receive an police adult caution for doing a provocative act".

DUP MLA Jim Wells, who had urged police to investigate Mr McCartan's "sectarian outburst", said he learned of the caution at a recent meeting in Kilkeel to discuss parades.

He described the decision as "appalling" and said it would "cause anger throughout the unionist community in south Down".

"It was only the discipline and restraint shown by the band and the parade marshals that prevented his behaviour leading to a major incident," he said.

The MLA said he would seek a meeting with the PSNI and PPS to receive "an explanation for what is clearly a totally unacceptable decision".

UUP councillor Alan Lewis described the caution as "dreadful" and said he had also requested meetings with the authorities.

"The soft-glove approach in which this has been handled by the PPS has damaged public confidence beyond repair," he told the Mourne Observer.

In a statement a PPS spokeswoman said: "All decisions are taken in line with the PPS Code for Prosecutors including the guidance on alternatives to prosecutions.

"In this case it was considered that the most appropriate decision was to require police to administer a caution.

"A caution is a formal reprimand by police and, although not a conviction, is recorded on a person's criminal record for a period of five years for adults."