Northern Ireland

'No offences detected' on Tyrone GAA bus video - but fine over separate public order offence

Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte apologised after some players were videoed singing a rebel song during a band parade in the border village of Aughnacloy
Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte apologised after some players were videoed singing a rebel song during a band parade in the border village of Aughnacloy Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte apologised after some players were videoed singing a rebel song during a band parade in the border village of Aughnacloy

POLICE have said "no offences have been detected" in a video taken on a Tyrone GAA team bus which officers had been treating as "a hate incident".

Some players were captured singing a rebel song as they passed a band parade in the border village of Aughnacloy after a victory over Cavan at Clones, Co Monaghan.

The footage, which has been widely shared on social media, also appeared to reveal someone shouting a sectarian insult.

PSNI Superintendent Mike Baird last week said a complaint had been received about the video and officers were investigating to establish if any offences have been committed.

He confirmed to The Irish News yesterday that detectives are not pursuing anyone.

"Following enquiries, no offences have been detected in relation to a video that was circulated online," he said.

However, it has emerged that someone on the bus has accepted a fine over behaviour unrelated to the video.

"A male on the bus was spoken to and has been issued with a Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) in relation to a public order offence," Mr Baird said.

Senior football manager Mickey Harte last week apologised for the "unnacceptable behaviour" of some players who could be heard singing Come Out Ye Black And Tans, which includes the lines: "Show your wife how you won medals down in Flanders/ Tell them how the IRA made you run like hell away".

He said the matter was "being dealt with in-house" and there would be no further comment.

At the time, DUP leader Arlene Foster described it as "a key test" of the GAA and said its leadership "must be seen to take meaningful action against those responsible".

Penalty notices for disorder are issued for anti-social and nuisance behaviour, such as urination in the street, being drunk in a public place, disorderly behaviour, behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace, obstructing police and criminal damage.

The associated fines range from £45-£85.

The video was taken during a parade organised by Lisgenny Flute Band and involving 14 bands on the evening of Saturday July 6, which Mrs Foster said had been timed to avoid disruption to Mass-goers.

Come Out Ye Black And Tans refers to a notorious force of mainly ex-soldiers recruited to support the Royal Irish Constabulary during the 1920s and was written by Dominic Behan as a tribute to his father Stephen.