Ulster Unionist MLA and Upper Bann Westminster Candidate Jo-Anne Dobson, has slammed comments made by Ardoyne republican Dee Fennell in Lurgan.

Branding the comments as disgusting and aimed at inciting people, the Ulster Unionist MLA has demanded that the PSNI investigate the contents of the speech which has been made available through social media.

Mrs Dobson said:

“How can our society move forward in peace when individuals who are so consumed by hatred continue to preach the poisonous politics of the past?

“A video of this speech, delivered in Lurgan, has been posted widely on social media and like many other people, I have watched and listened to it in both shock and horror. During the speech he can be clearly heard praising the murderous activities of the IRA, gloating over the murder of Lord Mountbatten and describing their armed struggle in 2015 as ‘legitimate.’

“But what struck me so much was that these comments were made in the presence of young children. The bile and hatred of the past being preached to our next generation can result in nothing but hurt and pain. 

“The PSNI monitor and record legitimate parading by the Loyal Orders and in the past have chosen to investigate individuals for lesser comments than these. I have written to the Chief Constable to demand that the contents of this video are fully investigated and action taken.

“Lurgan has borne the brunt of dissident republican activity in recent years, including bombings and murders including that of PSNI Officer Stephen Carroll in March 2009.  Like so many I want to see a bright future for the town, not one where it is dragged back into the mire of the past by certain republican elements who cannot accept that the IRA’s long campaign ended in failure.   

“Anyone who incites people to violence should be investigated and brought to book and I trust that the PSNI will do so and do so swiftly.”