Representatives from the GAA and a Troubles victims’ group have held talks which were described as “constructive”.

The South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) met with GAA representatvies from national and provincial level in Armagh recently.

Ulster GAA CEO/Provincial Secretary Brian McAvoy, Ulster GAA Head of Community Development Diarmaid Marsden and the GAA’s Director of Communications Alan Miltwon met with SEFF Director Kenny Donaldson and his colleagues Karen McKeever and Sammy Heenan.

In a press release, Ulster GAA said SEFF delegates were provided with an overview of the numerous cross-community initiatives that the GAA is presently engaged with and they acknowledged the positive community contribution made by the GAA. They also expressed concerns about the actions of a small minority of supporters at a number of Ulster Championship games this year and on the wider issue of GAA memorials.

Speaking after the meeting, Brian McAvoy said: “It was a humbling experience to meet with the SEFF representatives and hear their personal testimonies. They stressed that they are a support group for victims, irrespective of creed, gender of ethnicity.

“The group pointed out that what might be seen as banter by some, such as the signing of a line from the song ‘Celtic Symphony’, is interpreted as a glorification of terrorism by some victims and causes undue hurt to them.”

The statement stated GAA representatives stressed that the association was both a sporting and cultural organisation, with a clear and unambiguous anti-sectarian and anti-racist ethos. Both parties agreed to continue their engagement going forward.

Kenny Donaldson, SEFF’s Director said they made it clear to the GAA delegates “that we are not GAA haters or bashers, indeed several of our members are themselves involved with Gaelic Games or have members of their families who are involved”.

“We acknowledge the positive contribution Gaelic Games makes within society in providing professional development opportunities for many people, it facilitates a strong sense of identity and connection to place and it is also an engaging sport which is revered for its physicality by many people.

“We did, however, express our concerns at behaviours which have been present within the games including the enabling of memorials to be erected within Gaelic clubs or associated community facilities where players are supposedly being remembered but where they are not remembered simply as Gaels but rather as members of The Provisional IRA.”

He added: “There has also been a series of occasions where clubs but also sections of fans have been found to have engaged in pro terror chants which are highly offensive to those impacted by Provisional IRA violence and there also remains a series of clubs and trophies named after terrorists who were guilty of crimes against their own neighbours.”

Mr. Donaldson continued: “We requested that the GAA would re-examine its’ code of conduct around these issues for clubs but also for those attending games and that there would exist a willingness to sanction those who engage in behaviour which falls beneath that behaviour code.

“SEFF have also met with or are in the process of requesting meetings and engagements with other organisations and Institutions, including the Scottish Roman Catholic Church, Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, the bands community etc where there are issues which each of these entities need to address.

“There can be no justification or space given for the promotion or facilitation of terrorism, nor anything which seeks to diminish the impact of violence within this Society. We trust that the GAA will wish to partner with us in this journey and will wish to lead by example,” concluded Mr. Donaldson.