Northern Ireland

Two arrests after online footage shows 'gunman' aiming at Orange parade

Unionist have condemned the online video which shows a man dressed in paramilitary style clothing pointing a gun at an Orange Order parade
Unionist have condemned the online video which shows a man dressed in paramilitary style clothing pointing a gun at an Orange Order parade Unionist have condemned the online video which shows a man dressed in paramilitary style clothing pointing a gun at an Orange Order parade

UNIONIST politicians have called for a police investigation into social media video footage showing a man wearing paramilitary-style clothing and aiming a 'firearm' at an Orange Order parade.

The DUP's Paul Girvan also criticised a second online clip in which a man shouts pro-IRA slogans beside the same parade in Randalstown on Sunday evening.

Mr Girvan branded the images as a "deeply disturbing display of hate and intolerance".

"This parade was made up of Orangemen, women and young children, making their way to and from a church service. It is beyond comprehension that someone would be so warped as to dress themselves up in paramilitary attire and aim what appears to be a firearm at those on parade.

"Such hate cannot go unchallenged and it must be investigated by the PSNI. It should be relatively simple to identify the house in which this video was recorded and speak to the occupants.

"The police must carry this out as a matter of urgency given the likely presence of a firearm at the property."

Ulster Unionist party leader Robin Swann has also condemned the footage, which he described as " particularly shocking".

He said: "A perfectly peaceful and lawful Church parade in Randalstown was sufficient to prompt a sad and twisted individual to display his sectarian bigotry by dressing in paramilitary clothing and brandishing what is hopefully a replica rifle, from inside the safety of a living room.

"The fact he pointed it at children passing by makes it all the more sickening. Fortunately, he was stupid enough to post his sectarian hatred online.

"Having brought this matter to the attention of the police, I have been assured that they are dealing with the matter."

A PSNI spokeswoman said that police are "aware of the footage" and are carrying out a number of enquiries to determine "what, if any, offence has been committed, and the person involved".