Parade incident sparks concern from local priest

Parade incident sparks concern from local priest

2 May 2012

A KILLYLEAGH priest has called for parishioners to help improve security measures around the parochial house after an “ugly and aggressive incident” during a loyalist band parade last week.

Fr. Colum Curran has asked members of the community to contribute towards new fencing around the Shore Street car park to make church property less easily accessible.

He said he felt the move was necessary after he was verbally abused by loyalist bandsmen for asking them to stop urinating against church property during an annual fundraising parade organised by the Toye Flute Band.

Following the incident, which Fr. Curran described as the “most ugly incident during his 26 years in the priesthood”, he said he “feared for his safety” until police intervened and told him to go indoors while they dealt with the bandsmen.

He said police later offered him assurances that they would patrol the area until 3am to ensure there was no further trouble.

“I was so shaken by his bigotry and by the behaviour of some of the bandsmen,” he said.

“Without an apology from them it makes me feel they are above the law and shows a horrendous lack of respect.

“You would expect any ordained minister to do what I am doing now and stand up for justice for the good of his flock. Many of my congregation have urged me to seek an apology about his.”

Fr. Curran had penned a letter to the Down Recorder about the issue but withdrew the

letter after discussions with community police for the “good of community relations in the town.”

“I also feel the problem, which began with men urinating in public, demonstrates a great need for public toilet facilities in Killyleagh,” he said.

“Their actions, as well as their abusive language, were vulgar.”

In a statement issued by police yesterday, a PSNI spokesman said band members had been instructed to urinate in a confined area out of public view as there were no public toilets available for the band contest.

“Anyone who did not comply with those instructions was spoken to by police and organisers,” the spokesman said.

“No formal complaint has been received by police, however Neighbourhood Sergeant Nigel Donnelly has been in close contact with Fr. Curran to discuss the situation.”

Mr. Malcolm Healey, leader of the Toye Flute Band which organised the fundraising parade, said Fr. Curran had “exaggerated what had taken place.”

“This is an annual event which has run without trouble for about 30 years,” he said. “The situation was dealt with by police.

“The situation could have ended up much worse but police told the priest to go into his house because he was risking getting into bigger bother.”