PSNI Chief Constable meets Ulster GAA

GAA delegates included President Jarlath Burns (second from left), Provincial Secretary Brian McAvoy (right) and Sports Administration Manager Geraldine McKavanagh (left)

The PSNI's chief constable Jon Boutcher met representatives of Ulster Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) at their headquarters in Armagh on Thursday.

It follows criminal investigations into officers who joined in celebrations of Armagh’s all-Ireland GAA win at the end of July.

Social media footage went viral showing a police car being driven in Camlough, County Armagh using lights and sirens and flying an Armagh GAA flag.

During the visit the PSNI chief constable was presented with an Ulster GAA jersey.

Social media footage went viral showing an officer lapping a Camlough roundabout in his patrol car

As thousands of GAA fans took to the streets to celebrate Armagh’s all-Ireland football victory, social media footage went viral showing a PSNI officer lapping a Camlough roundabout in his patrol car before stopping to pick up a flag from cheering fans which he waved out the window while driving.

The officer then performed a U-turn in the road at a junction.

Other police vehicles were seen driving through the village with emergency lights and sirens activated.

The footage was commended by some nationalist politicians as evidence of just how far community relations have come in a Republican area once considered so hostile to the authorities, it was policed from heavily reinforced watch towers and the skies.

Others like then-Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie condemned the incident as both “naive and reckless”.

TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister said it was visible evidence that independent, impartial policing “had gone out the window” and he was reporting the incident to the police ombudsman.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said he had left Mr Boutcher in “no doubt” of the “need to reaffirm confidence in the PSNI’s impartiality, integrity, and professional standards”.

The PSNI Code of Ethics requires officers to carry out their duties impartially

Following the visit GAA President Jarlath Burns said: “We were delighted to welcome the Chief Constable to Armagh to discuss matters of importance to the GAA and our ongoing initiatives.

"We covered a broad range of areas, including policing and wider societal issues, legacy and a number of GAA programmes”, Mr Burns added.

Provincial Secretary of Ulster GAA Brian McAvoy said they also "discussed wider outreach initiatives and the policing of major events."

He added that they will continue to engage with the PSNI to develop their "relationship in the future through meaningful communication and collaboration in areas of mutual interest.”

Jon Boutcher said he was "delighted" to meet the GAA representatives.

He acknowledged the previous initiatives between the PSNI and Ulster GAA including the ‘Share the Road to Zero’ road safety campaign and the ‘One Punch Can Kill’ programme.

"We will continue to work with the GAA and other stakeholders as part of our outreach approach to engage with our communities across Northern Ireland,” Mr Boutcher added.