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A Mournes Councillor has raised public safety concerns in south Down after an “atrocious” assault following an annual Loyal Orders parade which saw a man suffer serious facial injuries.
The Kilkeel incident is reported to have happened in the wake of an annual march (May 17) organised by local outfit the Rising Sons of the Valley with 30 bands in attendance.
The PSNI is investigating the circumstances when a 50-year-old man was attacked in a public house toilets with a further reported affray involving 20 males in the early hours of Sunday May 18.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) contacted Mournes Councillor Henry Reilly who has called for a flute band from outside the district to be banned from future Kilkeel parades.
He said: “I am absolutely appalled by this sort of behaviour taking place in the village of Kilkeel.
“I know one of the men who was beaten up, who is the biggest soft and inoffensive of people, and apparently there is an online video of him getting his head kicked in when he is on the ground. He has been really badly shaken up by this with bruises all over his body.
“I would sincerely hope that the band involved will never be invited back to Mourne again.
“If the allegations are accurate and true, the PSNI should investigate it and the band should not be allowed back into the area if they are going to behave in that atrocious fashion.”
The LDRS contacted the flute band alleged to have been involved in the incident and the parade organisers for comment.
The PSNI has confirmed the details of the recent Kilkeel incident to the LDRS.
A spokesperson said:”Police received a report of an assault in licensed premises in The Square area of Kilkeel in the early hours of Sunday, 18th May.
“It was reported that a member of staff aged in his 50s had warned a number of men regarding unruly behaviour during the course of the night. He stated that he was later followed to the toilet area and assaulted by three of them, sustaining serious facial injuries.
“The men were removed from the premises by staff, however a short time later it was reported that an upstairs window at the premises had been smashed.
“It was further reported that around 20 men had gathered outside the premises at around 1.15am and an altercation ensued, although they were not present on police arrival.
“Enquiries are ongoing, and police would appeal to anyone who witnessed any of the events or the circumstances leading up to them, to contact them on 101, quoting reference number 118 of 18/05825.
“We would be particularly keen to hear from anyone who has dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage.
“You can also make a report online at www.psni.police.uk or via Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/.”
