Féile festival and Belfast City Council release statements after claims of pro-IRA chanting during recent gig

The issue unfolded during The Wolfe Tones recent gig in Belfast’s Falls Park.

The organisers of this year’s Féile an Phobail and Belfast City Council have released statements following calls for the funding of the festival to be reviewed after accusations of pro-IRA chanting and 'blatant sectarianism'. The Wolfe Tones closed the recent festival at the Falls Park on Sunday evening and various Unionists have expressed anger over some of the band’s lyrics and the pro-IRA chants that were sang from the crowd. https://twitter.com/FeileBelfast/status/1028748846791307265 In a Facebook post, Councillor Julie-Anne Corr-Johnston was heavily critical of the chants while acknowledging that there are also a litany of offensive Loyalist songs and chants. "Look, I’m not buttoned up the back, there are plenty of Loyalist songs that hold no punches, some of our bonfires, a legitimate expression of culture, regrettably don flags, emblems and election posters. We know the problem isn’t unique to republican & nationalist communities. "But here’s the thing. I’ve actively spent this summer, and many before, working hard on the ground, promoting and persuading my community toward positive change. Tonight at Feile, to a crowd of 10,000, the lyrics “fuck your Union Jack We want our country back” - “And we will fight you for 800 more” were sang live. To which chants of “ooh ahh up the raa” echoed falls park." She adds: "I’m angry. I’m disappointed. I’m disheartened. Reconciliation and respect - words without meaning." DUP councillor Dale Pankhurst said: “Questions need asked and pressure brought as to why a festival that receives public money allows this. This behaviour cannot continue.” https://twitter.com/Dale_Pankhurst/status/1028753356033064961 Alliance councillor and former Lord Mayor of Belfast Nuala McAllister added: “A lot of the credit earned over the last two weeks of Féile events overshadowed by the blatant sectarianism seen last night. What possesses people in 2018 to find this acceptable or necessary behaviour? Glorifying terrorism never acceptable, in any form." https://twitter.com/NualaMcAllister/status/1028986267810377728 Following these remarks, Kevin Gamble, the director of Féile an Phobail, released the following statement. "This year, representatives from all communities were welcomed to Féile to have their voice heard," he said. "This covered a wide and diverse range of society. Many representatives from unionist and loyalist communities attended and took part in various panels, as did representatives from ethnic minority communities and international visitors.