Investigation launched into alleged sectarian shouts at Enniskillen memorial event

Law enforcement officials are currently investigating an alleged incident of sectarian shouts that occurred during a memorial service commemorating the 1987 Enniskillen IRA bombing. Diana Armstrong, a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, who attended the event on Friday, conveyed to BBC News NI that: “It’s a clear violation of a very sacred moment, it’s left a very bad taste.” The commemorative service honored the victims of the 1987 Poppy Day attack. This incident involved an IRA bomb detonating at the cenotaph in the County Fermanagh town during a Remembrance Sunday ceremony, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals. Initially, eleven people perished in the explosion, with a twelfth victim succumbing 13 years later after falling into a coma. Ms. Armstrong, present at the memorial, stated that individuals inside a passing vehicle reportedly shouted pro-IRA slogans as the car proceeded past those gathered at the cenotaph. Armstrong commented on the rarity of such occurrences, stating: “I’ve never seen this happen before at any event in the area, community relations are very good in Enniskillen and always have been.“With the exception of an incident where the letters ‘IRA’ were graffitied on a wall beside the memorial.“Guests and family members of the victims were gathered at the cenotaph, when a car drove past and the occupants drove by and shouted the words ‘up the Ra.’”It’s been a real intrusion.” This event precedes one of Northern Ireland’s significant Remembrance Sunday ceremonies, where First Minister Michelle O’Neill is scheduled to place a wreath at the Cenotaph located at Belfast City Hall. Ms. O’Neill’s participation will mark the first instance of a senior Sinn Féin representative attending an official Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Belfast. The Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA indicated that the families and other attendees present at the cenotaph were impacted. She added: “Families of the victims had to pick up the pieces after a very emotional day, where emotions remained raw.“People need to know what the chant actually means and the context behind it.” Deborah Erskine, a DUP MLA, who was also in attendance, informed BBC News NI that sectarian slogans are frequently employed. She stated: “The phrase is so commonplace with nationalists and republicans, shouted without any regard for how victims may feel.” The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed receiving a report concerning sectarian comments allegedly shouted during the event on Belmore Street. A PSNI spokesperson noted: “Enquiries are ongoing and anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact police.”