A TESCO shopper has been slammed for confronting a poppy seller and ranting about how “it’s not acceptable” to sell them.
Shocking footage shows the customer blasting a pensioner for running a poppy stall at the Tesco branch in Lurgan, Northern Ireland.
FacebookThis poppy seller was confronted by a fuming Tesco customer[/caption]
FacebookThe shopper said that the poppy stall ‘is not acceptable’[/caption]
She said: “This is not acceptable! This is not acceptable to the Catholic community in this town.”
The fuming shopper claimed that the pensioner was also selling badges for the Royal Ulster Constabulary, or RUC.
An inquiry found that the RUC colluded with Loyalist forces responsible for shootings and bombings during the Troubles.
RUC officers were frequently IRA targets, and the force was later replaced by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
The shopper said: “The British Army and the RUC murdered a lot of innocent people, and you’re selling for them?
“No, I’m not accepting this! I don’t accept this.
“As a member of the Catholic community in this town would I be able to sell IRA badges?
“This is not only for poppies for the last World War – this is for murderers of innocent people.”
The customer screamed “Security!” while standing in front of the poppy seller – with other shoppers telling her to “get a life”.
She added: “Murderers! Murderers! RUC murderers! That’s what they are.”
The shopper then demanded to know whether the pensioner had permission from the Royal British Legion to sell RUC badges.
When a Tesco worker asked her to leave, she said: “This is annoying me as a customer! This is a disgrace.
“I will set up a protest outside this store! It shouldn’t be in store. There will be a protest.”
The shopper went on to demand a list of items sold by Tesco originating from Israel.
‘VILE BIGOTRY’
Northern Ireland Assembly member Jonathan Buckley said: “Last night I reached out to the lady selling Poppies.
“I commended her for being so dignified and for her courage in continuing to sell Poppies in the face of such vile bigotry.
“Sadly this year more than ever, those raising vital funds for the Poppy Appeal have been met with disrespect and hostility.
“Poppy sellers take time every year to graciously honour the dead and raise crucial funds for veterans, service personnel and their families.”
The PSNI said: “Police in Lurgan received a report of a verbal altercation at commercial premises in the Carnegie Street area on Tuesday 7th November.
“Officers attended and spoke to a number of individuals about the matter.
“No statement of complaint was made and no further action was taken.
“Police remained in the area and continued to monitor the situation.”
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