Controversial ‘blood and thunder’ loyalist band is victim of sectarian hatred in arson attack, says DUP

A CONTROVERSIAL loyalist band that annually arouses anger on parades and on associated Eleventh Night bonfires has had its bus and instruments destroyed in an arson attack.

Sinn Féin North Antrim MLA Daithí McKay has condemned the attack.

“There has been a number of incidents in this area in recent weeks, including both the arson attack on a Catholic family car and the burning of this bus in Dervock,” the Sinn Féin Assembly member said.

“All sectarian attacks are to be condemned outright and there is clearly a need for all local representatives to show leadership to help ensure that these attacks do not continue.

“People here long for the day when all such attacks cease to take place but that can only happen when it is made clear – across the board – that sectarian behaviour is totally unacceptable in our communities.”

The Dervock Young Defenders Flute Band in County Antrim describe themselves as “a Blood & Thunder flute band formed in 1977 in the loyalist village of Dervock, County Antrim”.

The fire occurred around 5:30am on Friday morning when what the band described as “the community bus” with its instruments was parked outside an Orange hall.

The “Dervock Bonfire” Facebook page this year updated its profile photo showing this year’s Eleventh Night bonfire (below). The unionist pyre picture highlighted several Sinn Féin election posters to be burned and banners swearing at a former Sinn Féin councillor and the Sunday World newspaper for criticising organisers for the hundreds of tyres being collected for the bonfire.

● Dervock bonfire 2016

On the Twelfth, the ex-councillor was arrested by the PSNI but later released when he clashed with Dervock band members or followers taunting him about a suspected loyalist arson attack on his Ballycastle home in 2014.

The Dervock Bonfire Facebook page moderator posted the message:

“Here everybody have a look at Pádraig showing his true colours, ha-ha! KAT.”

KAT = Kill All Taigs.

● Dervock bonfire 2015

DUP Assembly member Mervyn Storey said, in a reference to the arsonists:

“Regrettably, there are a small element of individuals who are determined to spread sectarian hatred.”

PRIOR to the arson attack, Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay called on the Parades Commission and the Orange Order to take action to prevent the Dervock Young Defenders from taking part in sensitive parades in future after the band’s confrontational actions around the Twelfth of July parades.

The North Antrim MLA said on 13 July:

“This band is yet again at the centre of controversy after the Twelfth July parade in Ballycastle.

“The provocative behaviour of some members of the band – as evidenced in a number of YouTube recordings – left a lot to be desired to say the least.

“I have reported this to the PSNI and another Dervock ‘bonfire’ Facebook page that used the ‘KAT’ slogan (Kill All Taigs) immediately after the parade in Ballycastle.

“The last thing anyone wanted in Ballycastle was trouble of any sort.

“That requires positive responsible leadership from everyone.

“However, we also need to show a no-tolerance approach to attempts to raise tensions and promote sectarianism.”