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A man and woman have been arrested after video appeared on social media showing 'a man aiming a gun at marchers' during an Orange parade in Co Antrim over the weekend.

The incident is reported to have happened as bands, which included young children, made their way through Randalstown on Sunday evening (July 8).

Police said a man, 35, and a 53-year-old woman are being questioned following a house search on Station Road in the Co Antrim town today (July 9).

A PSNI spokesperson said: "The pair have been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences and have been taken into custody for questioning. A number of suspicious items have been located by officers as a result of the search at the scene and Station Road has been cordoned off to allow ATO to fully examine the items.

"There are no further details at present."

Footage has been shared online which shows a man wearing paramilitary type clothing aiming what appears to be a firearm at the parade through the window of a house.

DUP MP for South Antrim Paul Girvan had called on the PSNI to investigate the video footage which he described as "a deeply disturbing display of hate and intolerance".

Another video posted online shows a man beside the parade shouting various pro-IRA slogans.

Mr Girvan said: "This is a deeply disturbing display of hate and intolerance aimed towards those participating in the Randalstown District parade . This parade was made up of Orangemen, women and young children, making their way to and from a church service.

"It is beyond comprehension that someone would be so warped as to dress themselves up in paramilitary attire and aim what appears to be a firearm at those on parade. Such hate cannot go unchallenged.

"There are also other videos in circulation showing a man walking beside the parade and shouting "up the Provos", "victory to the IRA" and various expletives.

"Unfortunately this is simply the latest in number of incidents over recent days. Such incidents must not only be condemned by everyone, but identified as being motivated by sectarianism and hatred.

"There should also be recognition from those who have encouraged opposition to Loyal Order parades that their actions have helped encourage the hatred and threats of violence on display in such videos."

Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann said: "This is quite simply a sectarian hate crime, and even by the standards of behaviour witnessed all too often in Northern Ireland, this is a particularly shocking video.

"A perfectly peaceful and lawful Church parade in Randalstown was sufficient to prompt a sad and twisted individual to display his sectarian bigotry by dressing in paramilitary clothing and brandishing what is - hopefully – a replica rifle, from inside the safety of a living room.

"The fact he pointed it at children passing by makes it all the more sickening. Fortunately, he was stupid enough to post his sectarian hatred online."

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