Unionist politicians call John Delaney’s IRA ballad ‘shameful and shocking’

Unionist politicians rounded on Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney yesterday, referring to his singing of an IRA song as "shameful and shocking".

Diane Dodds, a Democratic Unionist Party MEP, said Mr Delaney's post-match pub rendition of the Joe McDonnell ballad had only served to glorify the actions of convicted terrorists.

The song was written from the perspective of a convicted member of the IRA and Mr Delaney said he apologised if he had caused offence.

Ms Dodds said: “This footage can only be described as shameful and shocking. These are songs quite clearly intended to glorify the actions of convicted IRA bombers and gunmen.”

Party colleague Nelson McCausland said it was appropriate the association investigate the issue of singing such songs within the Irish camp.

The Ulster Unionist Party's sport spokesman, Leslie Cree, said of Mr Delaney: " His actions were nothing short of a disgrace."

He said there was no doubt about whether the video recording of the song was offensive.

“The song offends hundreds of thousands of people who lived their lives for decades under the threat of the bombs and guns of the IRA,” he said.