SOCIAL media posts by a Belfast charity about a parade for a UVF killer were the focus of a probe by the Charity Commission, it has emerged.
The investigation was carried out over posts made by the Action for Community Transformation (ACT) Initiative in previous years about the Brian Robinson parade in the Shankill area.
The annual parade was held on Saturday and was attended by Shankill Butcher Eddie McIlwaine, who wore an Orange Order sash and laid a wreath.
The event commemorates UVF man Robinson, who murdered 47-year-old Catholic Paddy McKenna in north Belfast in 1989, shortly before the 27-year-old gunman was himself shot dead by an undercover British soldier.
Hundreds attended Saturday's parade on the anniversary of his death, with dozens of loyalist bands from across the north and Scotland taking part.
ACT has previously highlighted the event, which is organised by the 'Brian Robinson Memorial Committee', on social media.
Ahead of last year's event, ACT said in a post the parade was "to remember the life of a much loved and respected member of the Greater Shankill community", adding it “welcomes the many visitors who will descend on the Shankill to enjoy the parade and pay respects”.
The charity, which was founded "to facilitate the civilianisation" of the UVF and gained charitable status in 2012, posted notices to its Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) accounts on Friday highlighting that the parade was taking place.
A spokesperson for the Charity Commission told the Irish News: "In previous years, the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has looked into a concern regarding the alleged promotion, on social media, of the Brian Robinson memorial parade by the registered charity ACT Initiative.
"The concern considerations focused on allegations regarding promotion of the event only. Commissioners concluded that the charity had not contravened charity law with its social media activity and no regulatory action was taken."
Details of the probe come after the commission said this month it was looking into Féile An Phobail over pro-IRA chants at a Wolfe Tones concert during the west Belfast festival.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's parade, the director of victims' group South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF), Kenny Donaldson, said there was "no justification for the naming of a band parade after someone who committed sectarian murder".
"The innocent Brian Robinson murdered was Paddy McKenna, one of seven, having five sisters and one brother," Mr Donaldson said.
Speaking of ACT's previous posts about the parade on behalf of the Brian Robinson Memorial Committee, Mr Donaldson said: "There are questions which require asking around the appropriateness of any charity doing so.
"What remains a factual reality is that Brian Robinson murdered a civilian for reasons of sectarian and ethnic hatred whilst a member of the UVF - a proscribed terrorist organisation.
"Whether it's pro-IRA chanting at Féile, this parade, or any other public representation of terrorism - all must be faced down and actions taken by the agencies tasked with governing issues of good relations.
"We acknowledge the right of all families to privately grieve for the loss of a loved one, no matter what that individual's actions were in life. However, there is no absolute right for the holding of public displays of terrorism idolatry."
The Irish News contacted ACT Initiative for a response.
