Footage of an incident involving the band has been widely shared on social media.
A band involved in an incident in Belfast that has been widely shared online has said its members feared an explosive device had been thrown at them.
The Bangor Protestant Boys Flute Band had been marching in the Agincourt area of Belfast on Tuesday morning to mark the annual Battle of the Boyne commemoration on the 12th of July.
In footage captured on camera that subsequently went viral, a man can be seen exiting a property displaying an Irish tricolour flag before throwing a wheelie bin in the direction of the band.
After this, the man retreated inside the property as members of the band attempted to detain him.
A man in a band uniform then threw another bin at the front window of the property, smashing it.
Along with the clip of this incident, a second video shows police officers placing a bin in the back of a police van.
“Culture” 😍 #discoverni #12ofJuly pic.twitter.com/pfqgHxseV8
— Aoife (@efaakelly) July 12, 2022
The real criminal is now in custody pic.twitter.com/RiWRvCxrGy
— Jake “Jake” Kuczogi (@ObiWanKuczogi) July 12, 2022
Later on Tuesday, the PSNI said they were aware of the footage and had arrested a 46-year-old man on suspicion of a range of offences, including assault and disorderly behaviour.
It also stated that detectives were investigating other potential offences and persons.
In a statement to JOE on Wednesday, meanwhile, the PSNI confirmed that the 46-year-old man has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Belfast District Commander statement in relation to online footage from Agincourt Avenue earlier today. pic.twitter.com/9YcdmNHxqt
— Police South Belfast (@PSNIBelfastS) July 12, 2022
Represented by loyalist Jamie Bryson, the Bangor Protestant Boys Flute Band released a statement in which it said it had been subjected to an “unprovoked sectarian attack”.
“In the split second following this unprovoked and entirely unexpected sectarian attack, there were genuine and legitimate concerns amongst band members that an explosive device had been thrown into the ranks,” the statement reads.
“In this context, the band showed remarkable restraint and thankfully calm was quickly restored to the situation.
“In the confusion following the attack on the band, regrettably an item smashed the window of the general property from which the aggressor came.
“Unbeknown to the band members, the property is split into different homes over several floors and regrettably the window smashed did not in fact belong to the aggressor, but rather an entirely innocent victim of this situation, who had been endangered by the aggressive sectarian attack launched by their neighbour.”
The band has said it will pay for all damage to the innocent person’s window and expressed apologies to this individual.
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