Eirigi flags and violence at Northern Ireland match
01 April 2009
Released: 30/03/09
Statement by Jim Allister MEP
“I intend to protest to the Polish authorities about the behaviour of Polish fans at Saturday’s match at Windsor Park, particularly the pre-meditated recourse to violence and intimidation. Though the violence must not be allowed to eclipse the great victory for Northern Ireland, it was particularly disturbing to see the attempts made to taunt the Northern Ireland fans with flags of “Eirigi”, Colin Duffy’s Republican Rabble. Coming on the back of the murders at Antrim and Craigavon this was calculated incitement, which the PSNI should not have allowed to continue.
I am sure the settled Polish community in Northern Ireland would not want to be associated with such events, but it illustrates the willingness of militant republicans to exploit any situation. The Polish community must not allow itself to be so misused.”
