The Albany Gazette - MLA seeks inquiry into reported sectarian gestures on Ormeau Road

NYSE - LSE

BCC	3.21%	72.57	$
RIO	3.08%	86.39	$
CMSC	2%	20.46	$
NGG	1.32%	84.26	$
AZN	1.56%	189.39	$
BCE	-0.6%	21.49	$
JRI	2.51%	11.93	$
GSK	2.35%	51.54	$
RBGPF	1.35%	76.2	$
BTI	-1.33%	60.09	$
CMSD	1.61%	20.48	$
RYCEF	4.34%	17.5	$
RELX	-0.37%	40.02	$
VOD	0.7%	15.69	$
BP	0.13%	44.59	$

MLA seeks inquiry into reported sectarian gestures on Ormeau Road

POLITICS 09.11.2026

MLA seeks inquiry into reported sectarian gestures on Ormeau Road

A SINN FÉIN MLA has condemned reports that loyalist band members made sectarian gestures at the scene of a Troubles massacre where five Catholic civilians were murdered. Deirdre Hargey has now called on police and transport authorities to investigate the claims following Saturday's Belfast Walker Club parade on the Ormeau Road.

Text size:

Band members were not permitted to walk along a section of the road where five civilians, aged from 15 to 66, were fatally shot by loyalist paramilitaries in a 1992 attack on a bookmakers. The Belfast Walker Club parade from Ballynafeigh Orange Hall to Donegall Pass has not been permitted to cross the Ormeau Bridge and ensuing section of the lower Ormeau Road since 1999.

Upon reaching Ormeau Bridge on Saturday, band members boarded buses to ferry them through the restricted section of the route where the Sean Graham bookmakers is situated. It is alleged that individuals on a private Translink bus, which was accompanied by police vehicles, made five-finger gestures while passing the bookmakers.

Hargey has now called on the PSNI and Translink to investigate the reports, which come weeks after a memorial to the victims was defaced in what police called 'a sectarian motivated offence'. "Reports of loyalist bandsmen making sectarian gestures mocking those murdered in the Sean Graham bookies massacre are extremely concerning to the lower Ormeau community," stated the South Belfast MLA.

"Tensions in this community are already high, with the memorial to the five victims attacked twice in recent months. "over 30 years after the massacre, families are still having to put up with sectarian intimidation.

"The PSNI and Translink must ensure these reports are urgently investigated. "The individuals of the lower Ormeau Road deserve to live in peace, free from sectarian harassment."

Everything from irishpost.com and the print edition is available on the Irish Post App — plus more! Download it for Android or Apple IOS devices today. 14 hours ago News Two more individuals arrested in connection with suspected murder of Limerick woman Carrie Mullane By: Gerard Donaghy

Two more individuals arrested in connection with suspected murder of Limerick woman Carrie Mullane 17 hours ago Business Construction firm Sisk raises over £200,000 for London-based charities By: Gerard Donaghy

Construction firm Sisk raises over £200,000 for London-based charities 19 hours ago News Co. Mayo principal appeals for information after 'shocking' vandalism of school convent and chapel By: Gerard Donaghy

Co. Mayo principal appeals for information after 'shocking' vandalism of school convent and chapel 20 hours ago News Police officers meet baby they helped deliver in back of car in Co. Antrim By: Gerard Donaghy

Police officers meet baby they helped deliver in back of car in Co. Antrim 21 hours ago News Police appeal for information on man missing after travelling from England to Belfast By: Gerard Donaghy

Police appeal for information on man missing after travelling from England to Belfast 23 hours ago News Boy, 6, is fifth person to die following Co. Waterford arson attack By: Gerard Donaghy

Boy, 6, is fifth person to die following Co. Waterford arson attack 1 day ago News Elderly man dies days after Co. Dublin collision By: Gerard Donaghy

Elderly man dies days after Co. Dublin collision 1 day ago News Man must serve at least 20 years for murder of pregnant mother-of-two in Co. Down By: Gerard Donaghy

Man must serve at least 20 years for murder of pregnant mother-of-two in Co. Down 1 day ago Comment Strabane’s culture deserves its moment By: Malachi O'Doherty

Strabane’s culture deserves its moment Molloy prepares for Wembley bout as Galway homecoming plans take shape

By: Grainne Conroy - 2 days ago Ireland’s final peacekeeping troop prepares to head for Lebanon

Darina Allen helps showcase best of Irish food in India The plain individuals and the privileged few

The Irish doctor whose war did not end with the Armistice By: Brian McNamara - 2 days ago

(E.Taylor--TAG)

Featured

Louise O’Reilly attacks Simon Harris over unemployment remarks

Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly has dubbed Fine Gael leader Simon Harris a “Thatcherite” after the Tánaiste claimed that long-term unemployment is “not a way of life. ” The Sinn Féin social protection spokesperson stated that the Tánaiste has chosen to “stigmatise individuals on the margins of society and cast them as work-shy, rather than answer for his Government’s failures and the serious problems within his own party.

Pennsylvania Democrats secure state trifecta in midterm elections

From Congressional races to a new reality in Pennsylvania, Tuesday night’s Midterm Elections gave Republicans the blues. The soundtrack for Tuesday night’s midterm elections depend on which side of the political fence you were sitting on.

China confirms talks over possible Xi-Putin-Trump summit

A trilateral summit could take place this month in Shenzhen China has confirmed that it is discussing a historic meeting of Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a press briefing this week that Beijing was “in communication with relevant parties regarding a meeting between the three heads of state”.

Democrats consider impeachment drive against Defence Secretary Hegseth

The US Defence Secretary is accused of pursuing illegal wars and extrajudicial killings Asked on Sunday if the Democrats will try to impeach the US Secretary of Defence, to force him out of the Pentagon, minority House leader Hakeem Jeffries stated simply: “I’m a hard yes. ” “[He] has abused his power, undermined our national security, and engineered this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran,” Jeffries stated.