“No offences relating to the incident were identified.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland have confirmed that no charges will be brought in relation to an incident of sectarian chanting at a wedding in the Belfast Loughshore Hotel near Carrickfergus.
A video of the incident was shared widely on social media, and featured a wedding party singing a song with the lyrics “f**k the Pope and the IRA” to the tune of ‘Simply The Best.’
In a statement issued today, Chief Inspector Michael Simpson said: “Police have conducted a number of enquiries and no offences were detected. Each and every incident we deal with is treated on its own merits.”
It was also confirmed that the incident was investigated as a hate incident.
“The incident in Carrickfergus was investigated as a hate incident; legal advice was sought as to whether any of the actions constituted a criminal offence. No offences relating to the incident were identified.”
A statement was issued by the hotel in question earlier this week, which said: “To the many people commenting ‘why didn’t the Hotel Manager step in and put a stop to it?’ – my answer is simple – I as the leader of the company would never ask or expect anyone who works with me to do something that I would not do myself and I can assure you all that I would not be prepared to ‘pull the plug’ and risk what was a 90 second episode where no-one was hurt becoming something much worse.
“So, the Hotel Manager who carried on and did his job has the full support of our Hospitality Family.”
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