In a recent Documentary broadcast on the BBC enitled; Petrol Bombs & Peace'. The programme mainly focused on Loyalist Flute Band, 'The Pride of Ardoyne' (P.O.A.) from nearby, Glenbryn. It was an attempt by band members to portray themselves as Non-Sectarian but failed miserably. As a number of members were witnessed partaking in various activities which could only be described as sectarian and racist. Including a Bonfire and the burning of the Irish National Flag. Within weeks of the broadcast, one of those featured, Keith Tully Tweeted that he would like all those attending the Ardoyne Fleadh Cheoil to be killed by a huge bomb. Tully has since denied sending the tweet, claiming his phone had been left by him on a bus and someone else wrote it, likely yarn I know a chairde!
The Ardoyne Republican Blog has mentioned the real raison d'etre of sectarian bands such as the POA band on a number of occasions in the past few years, given it's links to the Ulster Volunteer Force (U.V.F.) A murderous sectarian killer Gang responsible for the deaths of scores of Ardoyne residents and others from surrounding Nationalist districts throughout the recent Conflict. The Pride of Ardoyne Flute Band was established in 1972 by UVF man, William Hanna. Who was later killed by the SAS and RUC when he and a friend unwittingly walked into a pre-planned and brutal ambush where three IRA Volunteers, Dinny Brown, Jackie Mailey and Jim Mulvenna were also killed in June, 1978. Hanna's friend was badly wounded but survived.
The Band regularly takes part in a multitude of triumphalist organised by a succession of Loyal Orders through the Greater Ardoyne community, against the wishes of the majority of local residents. In spite of years of opposition, the POA continue to ignore peoples wishes and march away. Many of it's members use Twitter to state, 'Fuck Talk - We Walk; when referring to calls for talks. It refuses to even sit-down and engage in dialogue with residents despite their legitimate views. In response, the POA uses the Internet particularly Social Media Websites and Discussion Forums to further insult Nationalists. Upon reading the band's own website, much of it's content is to promote the UVF. Whilst it also commemorates UVF Killer, Brian Robinson who was gunned down by the British Army minutes after he murdered innocent Ardoyne man, Paddy McKenna in September, 1989. The UVF man was also a senior member of the Orange Order and is honoured every year by the UVF and POA in the Woodvale. The band also openly celebrate other UVF members including, Sam Rockett killed during a UDA feud in 2000 and Billy McClure killed by the IPLO in 1991.
The most laughable expression from the P.O.A. recently has been it's claim that they cannot 'return home' due to the ban on the Twelfth march from entering the Greater Ardoyne area. The reality is that no-one has prevented individuals from the Band and the Orange Order going back home. What is banned is the sectarian march dressed-up as an expression of culture. The vast majority of residents in the Woodvale area want nothing to do with these parades as they cause nothing but trouble.
In the latest example of how racist and bigoted the POA is, can be viewed below in a clip uploaded to YouTube by the band itself. The tune played is the very offensive 'Famine Song', which is used to demonise Irish emigrants forced to move to Scotland during the Great Hunger when millions of Irish people died due to the lack of food given by the British Government. The song is also used in a derogratry manner by a number of Loyalist Flute Bands across the North. To view the Pride of Ardoyne insulting every Irish citizen, please click on the following link;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS3aSGWVQ-s
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| P.O.A. Marching through Greater Ardoyne |
The Ardoyne Republican Blog has mentioned the real raison d'etre of sectarian bands such as the POA band on a number of occasions in the past few years, given it's links to the Ulster Volunteer Force (U.V.F.) A murderous sectarian killer Gang responsible for the deaths of scores of Ardoyne residents and others from surrounding Nationalist districts throughout the recent Conflict. The Pride of Ardoyne Flute Band was established in 1972 by UVF man, William Hanna. Who was later killed by the SAS and RUC when he and a friend unwittingly walked into a pre-planned and brutal ambush where three IRA Volunteers, Dinny Brown, Jackie Mailey and Jim Mulvenna were also killed in June, 1978. Hanna's friend was badly wounded but survived.
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| UVF Gunmen at Robinson Mural in the Woodvale |
The Band regularly takes part in a multitude of triumphalist organised by a succession of Loyal Orders through the Greater Ardoyne community, against the wishes of the majority of local residents. In spite of years of opposition, the POA continue to ignore peoples wishes and march away. Many of it's members use Twitter to state, 'Fuck Talk - We Walk; when referring to calls for talks. It refuses to even sit-down and engage in dialogue with residents despite their legitimate views. In response, the POA uses the Internet particularly Social Media Websites and Discussion Forums to further insult Nationalists. Upon reading the band's own website, much of it's content is to promote the UVF. Whilst it also commemorates UVF Killer, Brian Robinson who was gunned down by the British Army minutes after he murdered innocent Ardoyne man, Paddy McKenna in September, 1989. The UVF man was also a senior member of the Orange Order and is honoured every year by the UVF and POA in the Woodvale. The band also openly celebrate other UVF members including, Sam Rockett killed during a UDA feud in 2000 and Billy McClure killed by the IPLO in 1991.
The most laughable expression from the P.O.A. recently has been it's claim that they cannot 'return home' due to the ban on the Twelfth march from entering the Greater Ardoyne area. The reality is that no-one has prevented individuals from the Band and the Orange Order going back home. What is banned is the sectarian march dressed-up as an expression of culture. The vast majority of residents in the Woodvale area want nothing to do with these parades as they cause nothing but trouble.
In the latest example of how racist and bigoted the POA is, can be viewed below in a clip uploaded to YouTube by the band itself. The tune played is the very offensive 'Famine Song', which is used to demonise Irish emigrants forced to move to Scotland during the Great Hunger when millions of Irish people died due to the lack of food given by the British Government. The song is also used in a derogratry manner by a number of Loyalist Flute Bands across the North. To view the Pride of Ardoyne insulting every Irish citizen, please click on the following link;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS3aSGWVQ-s