PSNI reviewing footage of loyalist band singing The Sash outside Sinn Fein MLA office
The band was among 40 that took part in Saturday's parade with the incident taking place on the return leg which ended at Cloughfern Protestant Hall.
'Police in Newtownabbey are currently reviewing a parade which took place on the Antrim Road on Saturday, 12th July, in respect of a potential breach of a Parades Commission determination,' a PSNI spokesperson confirmed.
The event was marked as 'sensitive" by the Parades Commission which imposed restrictions on the march.
A respectful 12th in Glengormley? This parade should never have been allowed and should never be allowed in future. They have no understanding of respect for this community or any other. The PSNI and Parades Commission have a lot to answer for. Shameful. pic.twitter.com/1dnVXUxLdh
— Cllr Michael Goodman SF (@macgiolla) July 12, 2025
The determination prohibited undue stoppages or delays and ordered bands to 'refrain from using words or behaviour which could reasonably be perceived as intentionally sectarian'.
"The Commission reaffirms the importance of respectful behaviour, namely that there should be no singing, chanting or loud drumming and that marching would be dignified,' the ruling stated.
'All participants and supporters of this parade must behave with due regard for the rights, traditions and feelings of others in the vicinity.'
Local residents from the Tober Glen and Colinbridge areas close to Mr Kelly's office had made representations ahead of the march.
They cited concerns over about disruption and access for emergency services.
But organisers of the parade argued that marshalling would be in place and said efforts had been made to prevent the consumption of alcohol.
The Parades Commission was impressed by the "extensive planning" undertaken by organisers including "detailed discussions with a range of statutory agencies" and their "awareness-raising and engagement with the community".
One video of the band stopping just yards from Mr Kelly's office appears to show members dancing while The Sash is played.
Some members and a number of spectators changed the lyrics from "It was worn in Derry" to "It was worn in Londonderry" as they loudly belted out the words.
So the breaking story here is that a band played 'The Sash' near an empty office in North Belfast 🤦♀️ Has the reporter checked that the office feels ok? https://t.co/69vq1CqCOm
— Peter Martin (@petermartindup) July 12, 2025
Nationalist residents have expressed anger following the incident with one saying "I thought they're not allowed to stop."
Sinn Fein councillor Michael Goodman branded the incident as 'shameful'.
"A respectful 12th in Glengormley? This parade should never have been allowed and should never be allowed in future,' he wrote on X.
'They have no understanding of respect for this community or any other.
"The PSNI and Parades Commission have a lot to answer for. Shameful.'
However a number of unionist MLAs have dismissed concerns about the incident.
North Down DUP representative Peter Martin and North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew joked about media reports of the incident.
"So the breaking story here is that a band played The Sash near an empty office in North Belfast," he wrote on X.
'Has the reporter checked that the office feels ok?"
It prompted a reply from South Antrim MLA and former UUP leader Steve Aiken who also downplayed concerns.
'It was, I checked, wasn't demonstrating any signs of stress or concern…it did look a little desolate though…it seemed mollified by a few shouting 'oh, ah, etc' but that was probably for my benefit.'
Meanhwile Mr Frew wrote: "In a further development, we have identified a disgruntled square metre of tarmac that was willing to speak to us, he said that he was sick and tired of people walking all over him.'
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