Paramilitary flags an attempt to intimidate

Posted by Jim on May 20, 2017

A loyalist bonfire group has said unionists will never remove any flag
“at the behest of Sinn Fein/IRA” after the party complained about flags
erected near Belfast City Airport.

Sinn Fein councillor Mairead O’Donnell had called on unionist
politicians to “act urgently” after unionist paramilitary and Union Jack
flags were erected at the entrance to Sydenham train station. They are
one of the first sights to greet visitors using the station.

In a statement on Facebook, Sydenham Bonfire group said the flags “will
always fly in East Belfast”.

“We have one of Sinn Fein’s new agitators poking their nose into
unionist areas of East Belfast. This will not be tolerated and it is
quite conceivable that many more flags will now be erected to send a
strong message to Sinn Fein,” they said.

They added: “The unionist community of East Belfast will never remove
any flag at the behest of Sinn Fein/IRA.”

The same group held a provocative “fun day” on the day of the funeral of
Sinn Fein leader Martin McGuinness earlier this year.

Ms O’Donnell said: “The display of loyalist flags, including a
paramilitary emblem, is deliberately provocative and intimidatory,
particularly to nationalists who regularly use this line.

“Given the enormous efforts and resources that we expend on attracting
tourists and business people to our city, this sectarian display also
sends out an entirely wrong and negative message to these visitors.

“I would urge unionist politicians in East Belfast to speak out against
this sectarian behaviour and to act urgently to have these flags
removed.”

The PSNI police said they would not intervene. A spokesperson said: “The
removal of flags is not the responsibility of the PSNI and police will
only act to remove flags where there are substantial risks to public
safety.”

UDA flags have also appeared in a mixed area of Glengormley in north
Belfast. The flags were put up overnight at the same time Sinn Fein
election posters were also ripped down in the area.

Local Sinn Fein representative Gerry Kelly said it was another attempt
to intimidate.

“I would call on community representatives and other political parties
to call for the removal of the flags. This attempted intimidation will
not work but does raise tensions in the area as we approach the marching
season.”