Statement by TUV party chairman and Cusher councillor Keith Ratcliffe:
“In the aftermath of the Croke Park event yesterday afternoon some unfortunately used it as an opportunity to seriously raise tensions in the Markethill area. Despite being a town with close to no affinity to Gaelic sports and culture, and also a town easily bypassed for traffic utilising the main Armagh Newry road, for much of Sunday evening and night streams of flag waving, horning blaring vehicles continually made their way through its streets. Playing of republican music and the shouting from cars added to the intimidatory behaviour, with a number of late night walkers in the town subject to horrendous abuse. In the worst incident that has yet come to light one vehicle slowed to fire fireworks at a main street public house.
“In the late hours it appears that a related incident took place when a vehicle that had been left on a verge on the fringe of the town was damaged.
“The TUV unreservedly condemn all criminal behaviour and activity with no caveat. In the coming days we would appeal for anyone who does not live in Markethill or district to keep their support for the Gaelic Athletic Association to their own areas, and ask all not to allow the behaviour of outsiders to harm the existing good community relations. I have raised our concerns with the PSNI, and appealed for additional activity to ensure there is no further intimidation or attacks on property.
“Action from political representatives and particularly the PSNI is urgently needed in order to ensure that local loyalists feel they have a voice and their concerns are being listened to.
“What we need to avoid is a situation where loyalists, who have behaved implacably in the face of incredible provocation, both from the GAA and the partisan conduct of the police, react in a way which only plays into the hands of our community’s opponents. We cannot afford to let that happen.
“I would appeal for calm and ask that both the police and local community keep an eye out around Orange halls in the days ahead.”