Call for drive to remove paramilitary flags
Stormont Regional Development Minister Gregory Campbell was today urged to lead a drive to remove paramilitary flags and murals which have communities gripped by fear.
Eileen Bell (Alliance, North Down) admitted ridding areas of the illegal trappings posed a massive problem for Mr Campbell’s department but insisted it was essential the DRD took steps to combat the menace.
She said: ‘‘Quite often the community are living in fear and intimidation and are scared to come back.
‘‘This morning, in broad day light, flags were being erected on the main road in Tullycarnet.’’
Mr Campbell pointed out properties belonging to the DRD, Housing Executive, district councils, NIE, BT and private addresses have all been tarnished.
He insisted any paramilitary trappings displayed on department property which pose a danger to road users would be removed.
In other cases where there is no risk, Road Service will seek the RUC’s advice to see if strong local support for such a move exists, he added.
‘‘The problem is that on many occasions the removal leads not only to the erection not only of the same number of original flags but in excess of the original number of flags erected,’’ the Minister warned.
‘‘There is a concern not only over the flying of flags and materials over a few weeks in the summer but in areas where they are flying 12 months of the year.’’
