Belfast DUP councillor Ruth Patterson arrestedby PSNI for “grossly offensive remarks” posted on Facebook

LOYALISTS are to stage a protest on Friday evening over the arrest of DUP councillor Ruth Patterson.

The rally is being held at top of the Donegall Road at 6 pm to “show support” for the councillor who was arrested on Friday morning.

The former deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast was detained by police for questioning for what the PSNI described as “grossly offensive remarks” she posted on Facebook. on Thursday.

She is being held at a Belfast police station under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.

The Belfast City Councillor branded Sinn Fein MLAs as “evil”.

And she said a bomb attack on an IRA commemoration parade next month would “do a great service to Northern Ireland” if it wiped out its leadership.

The councillor made her comments following a post on Facebook which imagined an attack on Sunday, August 11 in Castlederg, Co Tyrone which killed scores of people, including Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, and injured hundreds of others.

The remarks came after DUP leader Peter Robinson and Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness fell out in public over the parade.

The First Minister branded the ‘Tyrone Volunteers Commemoration’ parade as “glorifying terrorism”.

On Thursday, relations between the parties nosedived further when Councillor Ruth Patterson penned on Facebook: “Who cares how you would be judged.

“We would have done a great service to Northern Ireland and the world getting rid of these evil, devious, scum like individuals who bombed and murdered their way into government, who walk the corridors of power leaving their blood stained hand prints on everything they touch.”

The remarks came after DUP leader Peter Robinson and Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness fell out in public over the parade.

The First Minister branded the ‘Tyrone Volunteers Commemoration’ parade as “glorifying terrorism”.

Restrictions placed on ‘Tyrone Volunteer Commemoration’ parade in Castlederg

The DUP said in a statement issued on Thursday afternoon: “Ruth’s comment was completely unacceptable.

“It is not in keeping with the party’s policies or the standard of behaviour required of our members.”

However, it is not known if Councillor Ruth Patterson will face any internal disciplinary procedures for her social network outburst.

But the party statement added: “Whilst the officers of the party will clearly be looking at this issue, they will take account of her subsequent statement.”

In her statement, the councillor said: “I unreservedly apologise for this lapse of judgement. I completely withdraw this flawed Facebook comment.’

“Murder and terrorism can never be justified in any circumstances.

“My ill-judged comment is completely incompatible with the polices of the DUP and what is expected of me as Councillor.”