A video being widely shared on social media showing a group of people singing a sectarian chant at an event in Co Tyrone has been condemned by the organisers of the Ulster Fleadh.
The video is alleged to have been recorded at an Ulster Fleadh event in the village of Dromore. However, a statement from the organisers said that it was "unaffiliated" with the publicly-funded music festival.
The Executive Committee of the event also said if any member of its organisations were found to have taken part in the chanting, it would be dealt with "in the strongest possible terms".
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The statement said: “This afternoon the committee of the Ulster Fleadh was made aware of a video which was posted on social media which included chants referencing the IRA. As a committee, we wish to condemn in the strongest possible terms the content of the video and express our sadness and anger at what was visible and audible from the footage
“The video was taken at an event unaffiliated with the Ulster Fleadh in a public premises in Dromore County Tyrone and was in no way part of the event programme.
“If any member of An Comhaltas is identified to have participated in this chant or any other sectarian activity, our Committee will take steps to ensure this is dealt with in the strongest possible terms.
“This sort of incident has no place within the promotion of culture, does nothing to build trust and relations across communities, and the Ulster Fleadh Executive Committee has no hesitation in condemning it in the strongest terms.”
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine welcomed the condemnation from the Fleadh organisers, and urged those from across the political divide to follow.
"I had written to the organisers of the Fleadh and I not only welcome their swift reply, but the unequivocal condemnation of the what took place in the video,” Erskine said.
“I recognise that the video was recorded at an event unaffiliated with the Fleadh, but it obviously was recorded in Dromore during that week.
“I hope the leadership of the Executive Committee will be followed by all political representatives, just as other incidents of sectarianism and intolerance recently have been condemned by all parties.
Party colleague and West Tyrone MLA Tom Buchanan said the actions of those in the video were ‘unacceptable’.
Mr Buchanan said: "There can be no place for behaviour such as this, and it is particularly sad that most of those shown in the video are unlikely to be old enough to even remember the Troubles or the impact of IRA terrorism.
“Such hatred and intolerance must be challenged from wherever it arises.”
In a statement, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said the event captured in the video was not in receipt of any funding from the local authority.
“The Council has received assurances from Dun Uladh, Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann (CCE) and the Ulster Fleadh Organising Committee that this was not an event supported or arranged by CCE and was not part of the Ulster Fleadh,” the statement said.
“The Council supports the Ulster Fleadh through a sponsorship agreement with CCE. This sponsorship relates to official Fleadh activities and an agreed programme.
“The Council can confirm that as this event was not part of the official Fleadh activities it was not in receipt of any Council support.”
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