Teens’ sectarian abuse in park

A BANBRIDGE father has spoken of his disgust after his two young children were subjected to verbal abuse in Loughbrickland Park at the weekend.

The man said he had taken his three-year-old son and older step-daughter to the park to play football when a group of teenagers began shouting sectarian remarks at them.

“I was wearing my Rangers top and so was my son,” he said. “But we were out of the way just having a kickabout and they deliberately came over to us and started shouting all sorts.”

The man said there were seven or eight teens aged between 14 and 16 years old. “They followed us and were shouting and swearing at us,” he said. “We were minding our own business. I don’t care if people say things to me, I can handle it, but no-one has the right to shout at my young children.”

The father said the children were confused and upset. “They asked me, ‘Why are they shouting at us and what are they saying?’ I am disgusted this would happen at all, especially in the middle of the day when you are trying to have a family day out.”

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