PSNI investigating "sectarian related hate crime and arson" after Armagh GAA win

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is investigating two separate incidents that occurred in the wake of Armagh GAA's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship win on Sunday, the county's second-ever victory and its first since 2002. 

The PSNI said today that enquires are ongoing after two suspected sectarian arson incidents in Co Armagh in the early hours of Monday, July 29.

"At approximately 1:35 am, a report was received of a lorry on fire in the Markethill Road area," the PSNI said.

"A short time later, at approximately 2:25 am, a report was received of a car on fire on the Ballymacnab Road.

"Both incidents are being treated as a sectarian related hate crime and as arson and enquiries are ongoing.

"Anyone with any information or footage that could assist is asked to contact police on 101 quoting 127 of 29/07/24."

Mullabrack Gaelic Football Club shared before and after photos of a lorry the club had decorated in orange and white with the phrases 'Armagh 4 Sam' and 'Sam is Home,' in reference to the Sam Maguire Cup awarded to the All-Ireland champions.

"Despite the overnight torching of our signs and flags, this will not dampen our spirits as we welcome Sam home," the club said.

As well as photos of the burnt-out lorry, Sinn Féin Councillor for Cusher Bróna Haughey shared photos of the burnt-out car, which had similarly been decorated in orange and white colors.

Sinn Féin councillor Brona Haughey has condemned those behind an arson attack which saw a van and car, painted in the colours of Armagh, set alight on Sunday night.

The Cusher Councillor said: pic.twitter.com/WsR59FlQTg

— Bróna Haughey (@BronaHaughey) July 29, 2024

Meanwhile, the PSNI has also launched an internal investigation after footage circulated on social media on Sunday showing an officer driving a squad car in laps with its emergency lights on and waving an Armagh GAA flag in Camlough.

Kevin Scott of The Belfast Telegraph shared a clip of the incident on X on Sunday:

Police celebrated the Armagh All-Ireland win earlier this afternoon with laps of the road and waving a flag out the window.

The @Armagh_GAA team is due to arrive back in the city tomorrow morning with a homecoming tomorrow night while celebrations continue tonight at the… pic.twitter.com/KEZAE2k9Gt

— Kevin Scott (@Kscott_94) July 28, 2024

The video has been met with mixed reaction - some view it as a bit of good humor after Armagh's long-awaited football victory, as well as a mark of 'community policing.'

Others, however, have expressed concerns about the safety of the officer's maneuvers, with some politicians criticizing the display as partisan.

Doug Beattie, head of the UUP, said the incident was "naive and reckless."

Gavin Robinson, leader of the DUP, said the PSNI's Chief Constable needs to reaffirm "confidence in PSNI's impartiality, integrity, and professional standards."

Jim Allister, head of the TUV, said on X: "What hope for independent policing when partisanship takes over?"

Two tier policing plumbed new depths today with the PSNI driving through Camlough waving GAA flag and joyriding to boot!
What hope for independent policing when partisanship takes over?

— Jim Allister (@JimAllister) July 28, 2024

PSNI Superintendent Norman Haslett, District Commander for Newry, Mourne, and Down, said on Sunday: "We are aware of footage circulating on social media of our officers, driving Police Service of Northern Ireland vehicles, taking part in celebrations following Armagh winning the All-Ireland final.

"We have commenced an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding this."

We are aware of a number of videos circulating on social media tonight. pic.twitter.com/ZYhZdQMZPa

— Police Newry, Mourne and Down (@PSNINMDown) July 28, 2024