The councillor claimed that a group of Loyalists placed traffic cones across Main Street in the town in the early hours of July 4.

Councillor Leonard (pictured) that people were subjected to sectarian abuse. He said: “ It is clear that the marching season is when the lunatics take over the asylum.

“This is bizarre behaviour by sectarian loyalists with nothing better to do than try and abuse Catholics.

“When one driver moved the cones, she was subjected to sectarian abuse and obviously felt very threatened. Then as the young nineteen-year-old drove away a traffic cone was thrown at her vehicle. Other drivers re-routed when they saw the block and the behaviour of the loyalists.

“Is it too much to ask that this so called cultural festival could pass off without utterly bizarre and sectarian behaviour?”

A police spokesman confirmed that they did recieve a report that a number of young people had place a road works barrier across the carriageway at Main Street.

The spokesman said that at 3.45am the barrier was removed and no further incidents were reported.