Fears of 'Oh ah up the Ra' chanting in Lisburn have been voiced during a heated debate on plans for a féile in the city.
An application for Wallace Park to host the "multi-cultural event" Lisburn Féile faced scrutiny from DUP members who called for the event's schedule to be provided before the approval of its use - something that is not common practise according to a council officer.
Concerns were raised that the July event could see the singing of the Wolf Tones' Celtic Symphony song, which sparked a backlash when it occurred at the Belfast Féile last August.
Read more: Charity Commission considering inquiry into alleged pro-IRA chants at Féile concert.
Lisburn North DUP councillor Jonathan Craig said: "There has been similar language of 'multi-cultural' events used under the same title Féile in Belfast. We all know what language was also used.
"We heard singing of 'oh ah up the Ra' supporting a terrorist organisation. I certainly hope we see nothing like this happen in Lisburn.
"This is a garrison town, which suffered deeply over 30 years of the Troubles and saw our own councillors murdered by the terrorists that was referred to at that Féile."
Advertised as a 'family fun day', the Lisburn Féile is to include 'expressions of cultural diversity' as well as taster sessions of rugby, Gaelic, football and cricket.
Lisburn North Alliance Alderman Stephen Martin said: "I would very much welcome this event, it is cross community and we should be supporting it. The comments from Cllr Craig were bordering on disgraceful."
Bringing the proposal forward, Castlereagh South Sinn Féin councillor Ryan Carlin added: "This is the way that venue booking has been done previously, to have the bye-law set aside first.
"This is an event for an afternoon, not two or three days. This is a chance for people of all backgrounds to come together.
"I would ask for support for the proposal and for everyone to take the opportunity to come along."
A vote to provide the venue to Lisburn Féile as standard bye-law policy was carried by nine votes to seven.
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