Bar vows life bans after video mocking Queen’s death

Bar vows life bans after video mocking Queen’s death

14 September 2022

A POPULAR Newcastle bar has condemned footage that emerged over the weekend allegedly showing a number of men mocking the death of the Queen.

Condemning what appeared on social media, Quinn’s Bar said it was aware of the incident that took place in one of its gents’ toilets on Saturday night and “condemned the abhorrent behaviour on display”.

In a statement, the bar said it will work closely with police to identify those involved in celebrating the monarch’s death and, that when identified, they will be banned for life.

“Quinns has always been an establishment where all members of the community, regardless of background, are welcome to both work and socialise. This continues to be the case and incidents like this are not and will not be tolerated.

“We have a zero tolerance policy in regard to this type of behaviour.”

A number of local politicians have condemned the weekend incident which police have confirmed is currently under investigation.

The PSNI confirmed it has received a report of a video circulating on social media involving an incident in licensed premises in Newcastle last Saturday evening and that “enquiries are underway to establish if a crime has been committed.”

South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe revealed she has spoken to police after “several incidents” in the South Down area where pro-IRA chanting took place as well as “sickening singing about the death of Her late Majesty The Queen”.

Ms Forsythe said it was a time of mourning for people from all faiths and none who fondly remembered Her Majesty.

“The videos circulating from Quinn’s Bar celebrating and mocking the death of our Queen are sickening. For such hatred to be so widespread in the community where I live and represent is as worrying as it is depraved,” the MLA declared.

“I have been in contact with the PSNI and asked it to investigate several events last weekend. Videos circulating on social media clearly identify people. Their actions should be considered alongside hate legislation.This comes on the back of fans at several football matches in the Republic of Ireland mocking Her Majesty’s passing.”

Calling for leadership from the nationalist and republican elected representatives in South Down, Mrs Forsythe said while people all over the world mourn the passing of the Head of State, a family also mourn a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She added: “It is time for leadership. Such hatred should be rejected.”

The UUP’s Jill Macauley said those involved in singing words of hate about the Queen were “lacking in basic human decency”.

She continued: “The scenes from Quinn’s Bar are disgusting and reprehensible. It is highly disrespectful. Those involved should be ashamed of themselves for being full of such bitterness and lacking in basic human decency.

“Sadly, their words and actions have been reflected in a number of other venues in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.”

Mrs Macauley said that along with a number of her party colleagues, she has been in contact with police regarding what she described as this “sickening incident”.

She continued: “We have asked them [PSNI] to investigate several events over the weekend. Videos circulating on social media clearly identify people and their morally reprehensible actions should be considered under hate legislation. I hope to see those responsible made an example of and suitable action taken against them.”

Mournes SDLP councillor Laura Devlin branded the video circulating on social media as “disgraceful” and said it in no way reflected Quinn’s Bar, nor the wider Newcastle community.

Slieve Croob DUP councillor Alan Lewis said he was “disgusted” to witness the behaviour in the Newcastle bar, “especially at a time of national mourning”.

He added: “It really shows how low some people can go. To behave like this and be so proud of it to post on social media is a total disgrace.”