POLICE are probing whether a video posted by a Co Antrim man during the Twelfth celebrations in which he threatens to kill Catholics and uses sectarian slurs is a hate crime.
The video was posted to the TikTok social media platform by the man, understood to be from Antrim, last week.
The footage shows him talking to the screen, stating: “You dirty stinking f***ing fenian b******s. I will kill every one of you.”
A PSNI spokesperson has confirmed the matter is being investigated.
“Police have received a number of reports regarding an online video and officers are currently examining the content,” the spokesperson said.
“At present this is being treated as a hate crime.”
Following the posting of his video, the user spoke out following an online backlash, in which he apologised for his words.
He said in a follow-up post: “So everyone is seeing the video going about of me losing the head
“You’re only seeing one side of a story and it’s a few seconds – that video is 18 minutes long of them threatening me and my friends and I snapped.
“That’s no excuse. I should have known better I should of done what I normally do laugh it off. If anyone personally knows me knows I get on with both sides.”
He said he has Catholic friends who have supported him following the video and said he had been taking prescription medication with alcohol when it was filmed.
He added: “I apologise for any grief or hurt I’ve caused.”
