Republican protest at GAA sportswear factory over ‘Battle of Britain’ kits

Republicans staged a weekend protest at the O’Neills factory in Strabane after the company, which is best known for producing GAA kits and equipment, fulfilled ordered for sports tops commemorating British armed forces.
By Mark Rainey
Published 22nd Nov 2020, 12:18 BST
Updated 22nd Nov 2020, 22:07 BST
Saoradh protesters at the O'Neills sportwear factory in Strabane on Saturday afternoon. Saoradh Facebook imageSaoradh protesters at the O'Neills sportwear factory in Strabane on Saturday afternoon. Saoradh Facebook image
Saoradh protesters at the O'Neills sportwear factory in Strabane on Saturday afternoon. Saoradh Facebook image

There was an angry backlash in recent weeks when pictures emerged of Hartlepool United kits emblazoned with Battle of Britain Spitfire images, and similar sportswear made for the RAF rugby league team.

On Saturday around 30 members of Saoradh gathered at the factory in protest “at the crass and extremely offensive decision taken by the once proud O’Neills company”.

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In a letter to the company in late October, Saoradh said: “We highlighted this on some of our social media platforms and we were overwhelmed with the responses of disappointment, hurt and anger at your decision to carry this range of clothing.

The Hartlepool United FC 'Battle of Britain' shirts for sale on the club's websiteThe Hartlepool United FC 'Battle of Britain' shirts for sale on the club's website
The Hartlepool United FC 'Battle of Britain' shirts for sale on the club's website

“One common theme in the criticisms was that Irish people all over the world have traditionally bought O’Neills clothing as they felt they were supporting a home-grown industry and also wore the clothing as a badge of identity, celebrating their locality, their country and more generally their Irishness.”

In a statement on Saturday, Saoradh said: “Today is one of the most poignant dates in Irish history, for it is the 100th anniversary of the massacre known as Dublin’s Bloody Sunday, were British Armed Forces brutally murdered 14 civilians during the Dublin vs Tipperary Gaelic football match at Croke Park.

“O’Neills are now the main supplier of GAA county and club colours. O’Neills have made their fortune from the loyalty of the local communities. This begs the question; why would O’Neills make training gear for British Armed Forces and a soccer jersey with the hated poppy on it?”

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Following the initial backlash, a spokeswoman for O’Neills said: “As a leading sportswear manufacturer, we supply customers all over the world with a varied range of playing and leisure wear. Our state-of-the-art production process allows our contracted buyers on occasion to design and customise kits in a style which they feel will help meet their customer demand.”

She added: “O’Neills endeavour to meet the requirements of all our customers wherever possible.”

Angry backlash over O’Neills ‘Battle of Britain’ kits

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Related topics:O'NeillsStrabaneGAAHartlepool United