'UDA night show of strength' at Belfast community centre

» Mark Moloney

'Twenty years after the first ceasefires we must be asking ourselves why the UDA are still in existence, carrying out such events and where is the money going to?' - Councillor Deirdre Hargey

BELFAST CITY COUNCIL must investigate a show of strength by the unionist paramilitary Ulster Defence Association (UDA) in the council-owned Sandy Row Community Centre at the weekend, Sinn Féin has said.

A number of masked men carrying UDA flags and banners, and wearing military fatigues emblazoned with the UDA crest, appeared at an event organised by the Sandy Row Ulster First Flute Band at the weekend. Photos of the masked men were posted online by people there who described it as a "UDA night".

Laganbank Sinn Féin Councillor Deirdre Hargey has called for a full investigation into the incident.

She also noted that as a council building it is open to all sections of the community and being associated with such incidents will only keep people away.

"Twenty years after the first ceasefires we must be asking ourselves why the UDA are still in existence, carrying out such events and where is the money going to?"she asked.

"I would expect that unionist councillors who represent this area stand with me and are vocal on this issue too."