Pitt Park accused Stephen 'Mackers' Matthews who was detained along with his son 'David Matthews' who were both arrested. during UVF show-of-strength
10th August, 2022.
Councillors have deferred endorsing a funding arrangement with a Belfast football club following questions over the involvement of a man accused of leading a loyalist show of strength.
Stephen Matthews, a former coach at East Belfast FC, is facing charges linked to a gathering of nearly 40 masked men at Pitt Park in February last year.
Prosecutors have contended that a group of men associated with the East Belfast UVF went into the area with their faces covered by scarves and hoods.
Disputed claims were made that up to 11 people living in the area fled their homes and sheltered for days in a nearby community centre.
Mr Matthews and his two co-accused appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court on charges of unlawful assembly, affray and intimidation in connection with the high-profile incident.
The defendants deny being involved and are not accused of any paramilitary offences.
Councillors question East Belfast FC governance arrangements over Pitt Park accused Stephen Matthews
Stephen Matthews is facing charges linked to a gathering of nearly 40 masked men at Pitt Park in February last year
Mr Matthews stepped down in May as head coach at East Belfast FC, which has a longstanding "partner agreement" with Belfast City Council providing up to £20,000 a year for sports development.
PUP (progressive unionist party) are the political wing of the UVF and also sit in the LCC (loyalist communities Council) which is made up of three paramilitary terrorist groups the UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando.
The council's People and Communities Committee on Tuesday evening was asked to note a report providing an update on the partner agreements with several sports clubs.
But SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite asked for the report to be deferred.
He told the committee: "Without prejudice I would like to propose that this report is brought back pending further information to committee members in writing.
"I have expressed my concerns about governance arrangements to officers in relation to serious allegations made in the print media and criminal charges facing individuals who may still be on the board of East Belfast Football Club.
"It is incumbent on Belfast City Council's partner organisations to take action to protect their own reputations, but they must also ensure public funders that their governance arrangements are robust."
A council official told Mr de Faoite there had been an "investigation" into the constitution of the board of East Belfast FC, adding: "We are satisfied that there are no issues."
Mr de Faoite asked for information to be provided in writing to elected members.
Councillors agreed to the move after Sinn Fein councillor Matt Garrett asked for the request not to "hold up" any of the arrangements for other clubs contained within the report.
Last month Mr Matthews, 59, of Pansy Street in Belfast, and his co-accused launched a legal bid to have the case thrown out.
Defence lawyers claimed there is insufficient evidence to return the trio for trial, describing the charges as an attempt to “grasp at smoke”.
With many thanks to: Belfast Live and Brendan Hughes Politicial reporter for the original publication.
Follow these links to find out more on this story: DUP MLA defends UVF accused father and son charged with loyalist Pitt Park 'show of strength'
Councillors question East Belfast FC governance arrangements over Pitt Park accused Stephen Matthews
No comments:
Post a Comment