His comments followed a decision to halt the development of a Gaelic pitch at Victoria Park in east Belfast after online criticism by himself and his fellow loyalists. The land has been earmarked by Belfast City Council for use by East Belfast GAA, which has attracted cross-community support since it was set up in 2020.
It has no permanent base and the site, which is owned by the council, had been identified for development as a GAA facility. Work had already started on pitch markings when the halt order from council officials came earlier this week. It is understood a flurry of activity on social media by Bryson and his loyalist cohorts helped contribute to the decision to stop the work.
"There should be no place in society for discrimination against children and young people because of their
choice of sport"
John Finucane.
Mr Bryson, who is based in north Down, claimed GAA facilities were not wanted in east Belfast. "There are many people in areas like Sydenham who have had enough," he said.
"They do not want the GAA - which continues to be linked to IRA commemorations - in the heart of their community, a community that suffered greatly during the IRA terrorist campaign.
"The notion that a GAA [club] - an organisation seen as toxic by many unionists and loyalists - could be plonked in the middle of of a traditionally loyalist area, without any prior consultation with the community, is for the birds."
The GAA declined to comment. However, SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite hit back at the comments, saying:
"The GAA, along with the other sporting codes, offer a positive vision of athletic cooperation across east Belfast for the benefit of everyone.
"It's time those stuck in the past to get out of the way."
Meanwhile, North Belfast and Westminster MP and former Antrim Gaelic footballer John Finucane said he is "absolutely dismayed and disappointed that anyone would try to prevent children and young people playing any sports in a public park".
"There should be no place in society for discrimination against children and young people because of their choice of sport," he said.
East Belfast GAA - established 2020
UUP councillor John Kyle said the proposal had not yet come before councillors.
"There are Gaelic pitches in east Belfast, Gaelic is a part of the broader culture here, east Belfast is a changing area.
"But we do need to recognise we are coming out of 30 years of civil conflict, there still are tensions within the community between communities and therefore it needs to be handled carefully.
"If there is to be a GAA pitch in east Belfast then there will be proper consultation with the local community, their views will be sought.
"There will be an equality impact assessment done, we will look at the various ramifications and we will also seek the views of the local councillors as well."
THE IRISH NEWS EDITORIAL
Pro fide et patria
Tiny minority should not block progress
THE upsurge of interest in the GAA in east Belfast has been one of the most positive stories in community relations to emerge since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.
Having begun with a single tweet to gauge interest two years ago, East Belfast GAA is now among the biggest clubs in Ulster and has welcomed players from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities, many with no previous experience of Gaelic games.
East Belfast GAA crest: showing diversity and inclusiveness in celebration of togetherness
Its crest (pictured above), incorporating the red hand of Ulster, a shamrock and thistle, as well as the Harland and Wolff cranes, seeks to symbolise different communities coming together as one. Its motto, written in English, Gaeilge and Ulster Scots, is also 'together' - and it has provided invaluable opportunities for young people from all backgrounds to mix and make friends through healthy sporting activities. In short, it represents an organic, volunteer-led initiative of exactly the type that decades of government funding for shared future projects has often tried but failed to deliver.
It was therefore deeply depressing to learn this week that work has been halted on the development of a badly-needed GAA pitch following an online backlash by loyalists. Land at Victoria Park has been earmarked by Belfast City Council for use by the East Belfast club, which currently has no permanent base. The council confirmed that preparatory work has now stopped "pending further engagement".
That east Belfast is home to staunchly unionist communities is undeniable, as evidenced by the murals in parts of the area. Some people are clearly not ready to accept the presence of the GAA and security alerts targeting the club show how far opposition can extend.
However, the idea that it is somehow intrinsically a 'unionist' area is dangerous.
The GAA has been active previously and east Belfast is now an increasingly diverse part of the city in which unionists and loyalists live alongside people from a range of other traditions and nationalities - indeed, it is this vibrancy that attracts many to set up homes and businesses there.
It is likely that only a tiny minority of voices, which are unfortunately amplified on social media, object to the presence of a GAA club.
Those voices should be heard and attempts made to engage. However, anyone who somehow feels threatened by children learning sport together should ultimately not be allowed to hold up progress for the vast majority who are embracing the new Belfast.
Follow these links to find out more information on this story: ITV interview with Jamie Bryson
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