Gang of drunken loyalist flag protesters removed from train

One passenger from Lurgan told the Mail more than a dozen protesters were drunk and shouting sectarian remarks at passengers during a terrifying journey from Belfast.

The man, who preferred not to be named, said passengers on the train were verbally abused by the thugs who were told to behave on numerous occasions by staff.

The passenger said the large group of protesters were sporting Rangers tattoos and were singing sectarian songs such as ‘Billy Boys’. “They were very drunk and very aggressive and were shouting sectarian remarks,” he said. “People were scared. There was an air of intimidation.”

Railway control called the PSNI who boarded the train at Lisburn. Ten of the disruptive group, who were bound for Lurgan and Portadown, were removed fromthe train.

The passenger said: “Even though they were taken off there were other loyalists still singing sectarian songs and causing trouble. A lot of people were very scared and glad to have arrived in Lurgan.

“I don’t know what more the police could have done. The onus was on the loyalists. They are always going on about respecting their flag and culture but they weren’t showing any respect for other passengers on the train last Saturday night. It was a disgrace.”

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: “On the request of Railway control, police were called due to a group of rowdy youths on the Lisburn bound train. Police attended, however there were no incidents or arrests.”

Craigavon Sinn Fein Cllr Liam Mackle, who sits on Craigavon Policing and Community Safety Partnership is to raise the incident at the next meeting.

Mr Mackle said: “Taking account of the fact that pro-loyalist groups left on board the train were voicing anti-PSNI slogans there is the obvious question of whether or not the local PSNI were alerted so as to prepare them for possible trouble when these people disembarked either at Lurgan or Portadown.”

Mr Mackle questioned why there were no arrests and charges of drunk and disorderly brought against those removed from the train. “This failure to impose the law has to be explained.”

Mr Mackle is to ask that if this group was part of the Belfast unionist protest had the PSNI made the Parades Commission aware of the incident ‘as it had a potential material bearing on future decisions’.

Translink said: “They were removed from the train at Lisburn Station by the PSNI.”