Mullabrack GFC in Co Armagh shared this photo of the lorry that was burnt out after Armagh's victory in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.Mullabrack GFC, Facebook

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.

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:

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?"

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."