Council to investigate ‘sectarian chanting’ at Eats and Beats Festival

Council to investigate ‘sectarian chanting’ at Eats and Beats Festival

7 September 2022

NEWRY, Mourne and Down Council is to investigate allegations that sectarian comments were made during the weekend Eats and Beats festival in Newcastle.

The claim was made at Monday night’s meeting of the local authority and after being discussed by politicians, the organisation’s chief executive Marie Ward was asked to carry out an immediate investigation.

Slieve Croob DUP councillor, Alan Lewis, said he received complaints last Sunday morning in relation to alleged anti-unionist remarks.

He said that as an investigation was now underway he would not refer to exactly what was being alleged to have been said.

Cllr Lewis said while he was happy the issue was noted at Monday night’s monthly council meeting and it was agreed that the issue would be investigated, he was subsequently dismayed that the SDLP issued social media statements on the issue about the discussion that had taken place in the chamber.

Cllr Lewis accused the SDLP of being “directly responsible” for the issue being highlighted in the local press.

He said he stood by comments which he had posted on his social media pages regarding the alleged comments.

He claimed Nationalist councillors had managed to make a “mountain out of a molehill” and were “circling the wagons in an attempt to play down unionist concerns”.

Cllr Lewis reaffirmed his praise for council officials who organised the highly successful weekend festival and thanked them for the hard work they put in.

He added: “If anti-unionist comments were made during the event and an investigation takes place then I am happy with that.

“It is important this process is open and transparent as these concerns cannot be swept under the carpet or hidden from public view. It is right and proper that the council now urgently investigates this.”

Mournes SDLP councillor, Laura Devlin, said after what had been an “amazing weekend” at the festival, she was alerted to allegations about sectarian chanting.

“If this was the case, I would be the first to condemn it,” she declared.

“Elected representatives from the DUP have taken to social media with what is hearsay at this point and this is attempting to detract from what was a positive event.”

Cllr Devlin said she attended the event with her young family and found the festival to be “incredibly positive and inclusive”. 

She added: “The feedback across the board has been amazing and I want to praise all involved.

“If councillors have information to back up their allegations, there is a process. It isn’t to spread rumour on social media but to submit that evidence to the council chief executive for a thorough investigation to be carried out.”