A Co. Down bar has vowed to bar customers who reportedly celebrated the death of the Queen from entering its doors for life.
Footage emerged online on social media from a bar in Newcastle, Quinn’s Bar, which appeared to show a number of people in a “packed room celebrating and mocking” the Queen in the aftermath of her passing.
The incident which is alleged to have happened over the weekend has been widely condemned and police say they are looking into whether or not a crime has been committed.
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On Sunday, a spokesperson for the bar took to social media and said: "Quinn's Bar is now aware of an incident that took place in one of the men's toilets on our premises last night.
"We condemn the abhorrent behaviour on display. We will work closely with the PSNI to identify those involved, and when identified they will be banned from entering our premises for life.
"Quinns has always been an establishment where all members of the community regardless of background are welcome to both work and socialise. This continues to be the case and incidents like this are not and will not be tolerated.
"We have a zero tolerance policy in regard to this type of behaviour."
A PSNI spokesperson then released a statement saying: “Police have received a report of a video circulating on social media, involving an incident in a licensed premises in Newcastle yesterday evening, Saturday 10 September.
“Enquiries are underway to establish if a crime has been committed.”
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe said she has spoken to the PSNI after “several incidents in the South Down area where pro-IRA chanting took place as well as singing about the death of Her late Majesty The Queen.
Ms Forsythe said: “This is a time of mourning for people from all faiths and none who fondly remember Queen Elizabeth II.
“The videos circulating from Quinn’s Bar, Newcastle of a packed room celebrating and mocking the death of our Queen are sickening. For such hatred to be so widespread in the community where I live and represent is as worrying as it is depraved.
“I have been in contact with the PSNI and asked them to investigate several events this weekend. Videos circulating on social media clearly identify people. Their actions should be considered alongside hate legislation.
“This comes on the back of fans at several football matches in the Republic of Ireland mocking Her Majesty’s passing.
“I call for leadership from the nationalist and republican elected representatives in South Down. Whilst people all over the world mourn the passing of our Head of State, a family also mourns a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. It is time for leadership. Such hatred should be rejected.”
Ulster Unionist Councillor Jill Macauley said those involved in singing words of hate about the Queen were "lacking in basic human decency"
Cllr Macauley said: “The scenes from Quinn’s Bar in Newcastle are disgusting and reprehensible. It is highly disrespectful. Those involved should be ashamed of themselves for being full of such bitterness and lacking in basic human decency.
“Sadly, their words and actions have been reflected in a number of other venues in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
“Myself and UUP colleagues have been in contact with local police regarding this sickening incident. We have asked them to investigate several events over the weekend. Videos circulating on social media clearly identify people and their morally reprehensible actions should be considered under hate legislation.
"I hope to see those responsible made an example of and suitable action taken against them.”
Welcoming the bar's condemnation, SDLP Cllr Laura Devlin said: "The video circulating on social media is disgraceful and in no way reflects Quinn’s nor the wider community of Newcastle."
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