This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-28929301

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Ardoyne Fleadh event investigated over 'hate speech' complaint Ardoyne Fleadh event investigated over 'hate speech' complaint
(35 minutes later)
Police have said they are investigating two complaints relating to a north Belfast festival after claims that an event on Sunday featured "hate speech".Police have said they are investigating two complaints relating to a north Belfast festival after claims that an event on Sunday featured "hate speech".
The DUP and TUV said they had reported comments made by musical act The Druids at the Ardoyne Fleadh to the police.The DUP and TUV said they had reported comments made by musical act The Druids at the Ardoyne Fleadh to the police.
The DUP said it featured "the glorification of terrorism" and has called for public funding for the festival to be withdrawn.The DUP said it featured "the glorification of terrorism" and has called for public funding for the festival to be withdrawn.
When contacted, a member of the band said he had no comment to make.When contacted, a member of the band said he had no comment to make.
A video from the event shows a member of the band telling the audience that British soldiers in Ireland "should get together with their Orange comrades" and go back to England.A video from the event shows a member of the band telling the audience that British soldiers in Ireland "should get together with their Orange comrades" and go back to England.
The BBC also tried to speak to the organisers of the fleadh but got no response.The BBC also tried to speak to the organisers of the fleadh but got no response.
Belfast City Council has confirmed to the BBC that it did not have any part in funding the event.
Councillor Lee Reynolds, from the DUP, said the comments were "hate speech" and "incitement to hatred".Councillor Lee Reynolds, from the DUP, said the comments were "hate speech" and "incitement to hatred".
"Their introductions to their songs, parts of the songs and also the songs that they chose to play were deeply offensive," he said."Their introductions to their songs, parts of the songs and also the songs that they chose to play were deeply offensive," he said.
He said that public funding for the event should be pulled and the DUP had opposed licensing the event.He said that public funding for the event should be pulled and the DUP had opposed licensing the event.
"We understand this event received a range of public funding. We believe that the actions of last night justify the withdrawal of that funding and also the withdrawal of sponsorship."We understand this event received a range of public funding. We believe that the actions of last night justify the withdrawal of that funding and also the withdrawal of sponsorship.
"As regards these concerts, they have continually been raised as a problem and the complaints about them have been ignored by the organisers."As regards these concerts, they have continually been raised as a problem and the complaints about them have been ignored by the organisers.
"What happened on Sunday night was bound to happen.""What happened on Sunday night was bound to happen."
'Distressing''Distressing'
A Sinn Féin spokesperson said the Fleadh was "a very successful community festival which has been running for many years under often very challenging and difficult circumstances".A Sinn Féin spokesperson said the Fleadh was "a very successful community festival which has been running for many years under often very challenging and difficult circumstances".
"There is currently a police investigation ongoing into an alleged sectarian comment made from the stage of the Fleadh on Sunday night."There is currently a police investigation ongoing into an alleged sectarian comment made from the stage of the Fleadh on Sunday night.
"Sectarianism is wrong and it has no place at music or cultural events.""Sectarianism is wrong and it has no place at music or cultural events."
TUV councillor Jolene Bunting said: "The noise from the Ardoyne festival could be heard in the Shankill area.TUV councillor Jolene Bunting said: "The noise from the Ardoyne festival could be heard in the Shankill area.
"The volume was turned up considerably around midnight and people, including myself, could clearly hear pro-IRA songs and chanting in their homes. Not only was this provoking but it was particularly distressing for elderly people and young children.""The volume was turned up considerably around midnight and people, including myself, could clearly hear pro-IRA songs and chanting in their homes. Not only was this provoking but it was particularly distressing for elderly people and young children."
Ulster Unionist councillor David Browne said the comments "would seem to indicate that many republicans are still stuck in the past".Ulster Unionist councillor David Browne said the comments "would seem to indicate that many republicans are still stuck in the past".
"The fact that these were made in an interface area where we are all trying to build community relations makes it even worse," he said."The fact that these were made in an interface area where we are all trying to build community relations makes it even worse," he said.
North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness, from the SDLP, said that it would be "short-sighted" to withdraw funding because of the incident.North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness, from the SDLP, said that it would be "short-sighted" to withdraw funding because of the incident.
"Certainly I think that this band overstepped the mark in terms of their remarks at this concert," he said."Certainly I think that this band overstepped the mark in terms of their remarks at this concert," he said.
"However, I don't think that abandoning funding or suspending funding is a good step forward."However, I don't think that abandoning funding or suspending funding is a good step forward.
"I think it's important that the people who look after the Fleadh Cheoil in Ardoyne review what has happened."I think it's important that the people who look after the Fleadh Cheoil in Ardoyne review what has happened.
"I do think that anybody who speaks so offensively in relation to the Protestant community, the loyalist community or, indeed, the Orange, is being intolerant.""I do think that anybody who speaks so offensively in relation to the Protestant community, the loyalist community or, indeed, the Orange, is being intolerant."