Digney claims refuted by ambulance service

Both police and the Royal Black Institution are appealing for anyone who witnessed an incident at a parade in Ballymena on Saturday afternoon to come forward.

The woman claims she was assaulted by members of the Institution as she tried to cross through the parade in Broughshane Street on her way to a hairdressing salon.

Monica Digney of Sinn Fein alleged the woman, a Catholic, has been left with bruising to her face and wrist as a result of being attacked by three men in Institution regalia.

The allegations have been strongly challenged by Ballymena DUP councillor John Carson who says the parade "took place without incident".

Councillor Digney said: "All she (the injured woman) did was wait for a gap in the parade so she could cross the road to get to her hairdressing appointment when this man grabbed her right arm.

"She said to him to leave her alone and went on over the road, but she was grabbed again and this time the man ripped her coat."

Councillor Digney also alleges that the woman was assaulted by a third man as she fell to the ground.

Mr Carson says the Sinn Fein councillor was attempting to "grab headlines ahead of an election next year" and added: "Members, bands and supporters behaved responsibly and walked with pride.

"There were no arrests made and I praise supporters, bands, marshals, preceptory members and the PSNI for making the day a success. This was good for Ballymena economy and an excellent day for local traders."

A further claim by Ms Digney – that an ambulance taking the woman to hospital was delayed by the parade – has been refuted by the ambulance service.

A spokesman for the NI Ambulance Service said he had spoken to the crew involved and was satisfied there was no issue of obstruction.

"Once the casualty was ready to leave the scene there was absolutely no delay. As is always the case, the parade was stopped to allow the ambulance to get the casualty to hospital," he said.

Cllr Carson called for more evidence of wrong-doing to be brought forward and said of Ms Digney: "She doesn't live in the town, or constituency for that matter, and is therefore only seeking to use the parade as an excuse to hit out at members of the Black Preceptory."

He said: "It is simply an attempt to heighten tensions and condemn Protestants for expressing their culture."

A spokesman for the Royal Black Institution refused to comment other than to say the organisation was appealing for anyone with information to contact the police.

The event in Ballymena was one of a series of parades across Northern Ireland to mark the last Saturday in August.