Apology over flag 'prank'

He said putting the flag on top of the church was nothing more than a "very stupid prank" and was not intended to raise tensions in the town.

"It wasn't sectarian - it was nothing like that," said the self-confessed daredevil known as Den.

His placement of the Armagh flag on top of the 'big church' was condemned by politicians and the church's rector in last week's 'MAIL'.

"I'm really sorry for the trouble I've caused," he said.

"I apologise to the readers, to the councillors and to the church. I should have thought of my family. It was a very stupid prank - I know I took my own life in my hands."

He continued: "I've been saying for ages about putting a flag up there on the highest point of the town and me being the highest person in Craigavon.

"On the Friday night I'd had a few drinks and decided to do it. The Armagh flag was all I had to hand."

Den said he drank two cans of Tennents to celebrate as he stood on the scaffolding at the top of Shankill Parish. He also took a video from the summit on his mobile phone.

"I realise it was a stupid thing to do and I'm really, really sorry," he said. "I do stupid things when I've got a bit of drink in me."