Whilst welcoming no major incidents occurring amid a pro-Palestine march and counter-protest in Scarva on Saturday, representatives from the DUP have said that “significant questions will be asked” over the coming days about the handling of the events in the Co Down village.

Appeals for calm were issued before the pro-Palestine and rival demo took place after a similar event last year saw what police termed as “minor disorder” and four arrests being made.

The pro-Palestine march, which was labelled as the ‘Great March for Gaza’ and organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) in Lurgan, travelled along the Newry towpath for part of the way, passing Scarva, where local residents had raised objections.

The Parades Commission granted permission for the march, but placed a number of conditions on it, including that no participant should enter Scarva.

placeholder image — The pro-Palestinian march under protection of officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) passes closes the village of Scarva, Co Down as it travels from Lurgan to Newry

Meanwhile, a group called Scarva Concerned Residents had permission for a demonstration on Scarva Bridge, with conditions including refraining from “provocative behaviour”.

Hundreds of protesters with Israel flags as well as Union flags turned out to oppose the march.

As the march passed along the towpath, protesters on the other side of the canal watched on.

After the day passed off without any major incident, DUP representatives have raised concerns over the disruption caused to local residents after a line of police Land Rovers blocked off the bridge which connects the towpath and the village.

The joint statement by DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart, Upper Bann MLAs Diane Dodds and Jonathan Buckley, South Down MLA Diane Forsythe reads: “We are thankful that today’s events passed off without any serious incidents. The combined efforts of the local community and representatives in Scarva were able to reduce tensions amongst those who had gathered for the counter-protest.

"We will be seeking a meeting with the PSNI to seek answers form the PSNI about the operational decisions that were taken within the village. This not only served to increase disruption to residents but many of those on the ground felt did not help reduce anxiety and tensions.

"DUP representatives expressed concerns early in the morning about a significant police presence on the bridge which blocked access to the location specified for the protest. Residents and participants deserve clarity on this and other issues including whether evidence was gathered to identify any breaches of the determination issued in relation to the parade including the presence of a banner with the antisemitic “from the river to the sea” slogan on it.

“We would pay tribute to the leadership of local DUP Councillors who assisted us throughout the day. They played a crucial role engaging with the community and maintaining calm.

“The fact that the event passed without major incident is welcome, but it should not prevent a full examination of how matters were handled. We will continue to pursue answers and ensure the concerns of the local community are properly addressed.”

Meanwhile, TUV Councillor Keith Ratcliffe, also praised the “remarkable restraint” by residents but was left less than impressed with the heavy police presence in the village.

He stated: “Today saw massive disruption to ordinary life in Scarva and huge expense to the taxpayer, with helicopters, drones, two water cannons, police dogs, hundreds of police officers and dozens of Land Rovers all deployed so that a parade of no cultural or historical importance and opposed by the entire community could be forced through Scarva.

“Significantly, there has been no attempt by parade organisers to engage with local residents about their parade.

“I will be contacting both the PSNI and the Parades Commission to express my outrage at today’s events and to demand that this is the last time that Scarva is subjected to the like.”