Date Posted:Fri, Sep 26 2003, 15:15:09 GMT Author: Lynn Subject: UVF group blamed for cemetery hate demonstation
UVF group blamed for cemetery hate demo
By Jonathan McCambridge
jmccambridge@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
25 September 2003
THE UVF-linked Red Hand Commando has been named as the group responsible for organising a loyalist protest and riot at a Catholic prayer service in Carnmoney Cemetery.
At a public meeting of Newtownabbey District Policing Partnership, Chief Superintendent Brendan McGuigan said the group had sent "children out to do their work" when they attempted to disrupt the Cemetery Sunday service.
Mr McGuigan said that current security arrangements at the cemetery were not adequate and indicated the protest had been directed towards the parish priest, Father Dan Whyte.
At the DPP meeting in Jordanstown last night the Chief Superintendent was asked about policing at the service, which was recently disrupted when a 200-strong loyalist mob blew whistles and horns.
They later stoned police vehicles and two cars were burnt.
Mr McGuigan said: "There is a history behind Cemetery Sunday. On the day my main concern was for the safety and security of people attending and making sure there were no devices left in the cemetery.
"What happened on that afternoon was not spontaneous. It had been orchestrated by a paramilitary group and they sent children out to do their work by registering a protest.
"But there were adults in the background and it was clear what was going on."
He added: "I was on the ground on the day and decided to allow the protest, but I indicated to them they would not be allowed to cross the road or to interfere with the service.
"It was ugly."
Mr McGuigan was then asked what powers he had to avoid a repeat of the scenes in the future.
"There are a number of powers available to me, but the problem is there is no legislation to deal with sectarianism and this was a sectarian protest which was directed towards one individual.
"It showed that paramilitaries still control young people in sufficient numbers to hold such a protest.
"I do not blame the children but the adults who orchestrated it."
Mr McGuigan said he did not believe screening off the cemetery would be an effective deterrent, but added that he did not believe current security at the site was adequate.
When asked which group was behind the protest, he named the Red Hand Commando, which is affiliated to the UVF.
One Rathcoole resident told the meeting: "Cemetery Sunday has been going for years and no-one ever bothered about it or knew anything about it.
"I apologise for the people of Rathcoole who disturbed that service. Nobody should be out protesting against a religious service."
