Questions have been raised after the PSNI said anti-Catholic music played by loyalist bands and sectarian singing at a Co Derry social club are not criminal offences.
SDLP Policing Board member Mark H Durkan spoke out after the PSNI took no action over separate incidents during which sectarian tunes were played by loyalist bands in recent months.
There were calls for action after loyalists were filmed chanting ‘F*** the Pope and Virgin Mary’ at a social club linked to Irish league soccer club Coleraine FC in August.
Footage also emerged of a song glorifying the UVF being sung from a stage.
During the event a Scottish loyalist band also played a sectarian melody including the hate-filled ‘No Pope of Rome’.
The offensive tune, which mocks the Catholic faith, includes the lyrics “No, no Pope of Rome, no chapels to sadden my eyes, no nuns and no priests, no Rosary beads, every day is the Twelfth of July”.
Some by-standers sang the sectarian lyrics while others waved union flags and chanted “f*** the Pope and the Virgin Mary”.
At the time the PSNI said the incident was “being treated as a sectarian-motivated hate incident”.
Weeks later a loyalist band was filmed playing the same anti-Catholic anthem at a parade in Co Down.
Hillhaven Flute Band, which is based in Co Armagh, played the sectarian tune during a parade in Banbridge last month.
Some bystanders appeared to sing along as ‘No Pope of Rome’ was played.
Despite the sectarian nature of the music played, the PSNI has now said that no crime was committed at either event.
A spokeswoman said: “The content of the videos, which were examined in the context of potential hate incidents, were found not to constitute any criminal offence.”
Mr Durkan said he was confused by the PSNI position.
“It’s hard to understand how engaging in hate speech and sectarian singing would not be considered a hate crime by the PSNI,” he said.
“The confusion around what exactly constitutes a hate crime underlines the need for stand-alone hate crime legislation that clearly defines these issues.
“This would remove ambiguity for both the police and the public and ensure that anyone engaging in hate is dealt with appropriately.”
When contacted the PSNI said is had nothing to add to its previous statement.
Earlier this year three men were convicted in relation to singing an “abhorrent” song which mocked the murder of Michaela McAreavey in Mauritius in 2011.
Ms McAreavey, a daughter of former Tyrone GAA manager Mickey Harte, was killed while on honeymoon.
In May 2022 several people were recorded taking part in a song about her murder at an Orange hall in east Belfast.
In recent weeks police have been proactive in tackling sectarianism directed at other faith groups linked to minority communities.
Last month the force removed sectarian and racist posters targeting Muslims in Rathcoole, on the outskirts of north Belfast.
The sinister posters warned anyone “facilitating the settlement of Muslims or illegals in our areas will be held responsible”.
Also last month, the PSNI faced questions after officers removed racist signage in Moygashel, Co Tyrone, but ignored sectarian banners glorifying the UVF located nearby.
