Loyalist band leaves tribute to young GAA player killed in accident
A loyalist flute band has laid a wreath at the spot where a young GAA player was knocked down in Lisburn.
Six-year-old Diarmuid Frazer later died from his injuries.
He had been crossing the road to a barber’s shop with his twin brother Cormac last month when the accident happened.
Days later little Diarmuid – a Primary Two pupil, pictured – died in the arms of his parents in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
The wreath was laid by the band captain of the Pride of Ballymacash Flute Band as they passed the spot on Railway Street on Saturday night.
The wreath-laying took place during a band competition parade.
A band spokesman said the wreath was laid “as a gesture of goodwill” towards the Frazer family.
He said they would be making no further comment.
In a statement accompanying the image of the wreath-laying sent to the News Letter, a spokesman from loyalist group Ulster Protestant Voice said: “With so many negative news articles about loyalist bands I thought you might like a picture that shows our loyalist bands in a positive light for a change.
“This image shows the Pride of Ballymacash leaving a wreath at the spot where a young Catholic, GAA player was recently knocked down in Lisburn and tragically lost his life.
“The band stopped and played ‘Abide With Me’ while their band captain laid the wreath. The other passing bands all lowered their standards as a mark of respect.”
It is understood all 33 bands in the competition lowered their flags at the site of the tragedy.
Marching bands activist and News Letter columnist Quincey Dougan said he “does not believe” laying a wreath at the scene of a tragedy was unusual for a band.
He said: “It is not unusual for bands to show respect for local people that have died.”