The younger brother of Wrexham midfielder James McClean is under investigation by his football club after appearing to attend a dissident republican parade linked to the new IRA in Derry, Northern Ireland.
Footage of Patrick McClean, who plays for Glentoran in the NIFL Premiership, on Easter Monday has been widely circulated online which seemingly shows him walking past a masked colour party making its way from Creggan to Free Derry Corner in the Bogside.
Reportedly up to 200 people – many young – took part in the parade with the majority wearing paramilitary-style clothing, in contravention of a Parades Commission ruling. Several petrol bombs and fireworks were thrown at police monitoring the parade from the Derry Walls too and part of the city’s wall has now been closed to the public.
The footage of McClean, a 28-year-old defender, shows him wearing a black hoodie.
Following the circulation, Glentoran released a statement on Tuesday night confirming that an internal review is being taken place and that they wish to remain an inclusive club for all different backgrounds.
‘Glentoran Football Club is aware of footage involving one of our players currently circulating online,’ they wrote.
Patrick McClean is being investigated by his football club after he was spotted at a New IRA parade where petrol bombers attacked police
McClean pictured alongside his older brother James – who currently plays for Wrexham
Glentoran defender McClean poses for a picture with his partner Anna Monahan
‘The club is fully committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive and welcoming environment for all players, staff, supporters and the wider community.
‘The matter is being reviewed internally in line with club policies and no further comment will be made at this time.’
The annual parade in Derry marks the Easter Rising against British rule in Dublin in 1916.
The dissident republican event has sparked similar scenes of violence in previous years.
In a change of approach from recent years, the organisers of the parade – the National Republican Commemoration Committee – had applied to the Parades Commission for permission for the Easter Monday event.
In its determination allowing the march to proceed, the commission explicitly prohibited the wearing of paramilitary-style clothes and flags linked to proscribed organisations.
Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney, area commander of Derry City and Strabane, called the involvement of young people an ‘utterly shameful’ attempt to distract and shield masked individuals.
‘Despite the claim by organisers of today’s Easter Monday parade who said they wanted to hold a dignified commemoration, what we saw was the complete opposite,’ she said.
Reportedly up to 200 people took part in the Easter Monday parade with the majority wearing paramilitary-style clothing
Several petrol bombs and fireworks were thrown at police monitoring the parade from the Derry Walls
Many youths were in attendance as the parade made its way from Creggan to Free Derry Corner in the Bogside
Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney called the involvement of young people an ‘utterly shameful’ attempt to distract and shield masked individuals
‘From the commencement of the parade to when it dispersed, we saw masked individuals, which we believe at this time to be a breach of the Parades Commission determination.
‘As these masked individuals made their way towards the dispersal point on Lecky Road, disorder developed in the area of Nailors Row from around 2.50pm.
‘Petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry were thrown which resulted in nearby Bishop Street (Without) being closed for a time for public safety reasons.
‘Members of the public were diverted away from that area in the City Walls.
‘This disorder involving young people was orchestrated. We have no doubt about this.
‘Young people were shamelessly and deliberately used in an attempt to distract from and shield the masked individuals as they took cover in a gazebo following the parade in the area of St Joseph’s Place to change out of their parade clothing.
‘This is child criminal exploitation. It is utterly shameful.’
