Controversy over '˜Carrick says No' banner at Town Hall

The banner had been erected by unionist councillors following the signing of the Anglo Irish Agreement.

Deputy Mayor, Ald Jim Brown denied claims made by Alliance Cllr Stewart Dickson that the banner was illegal because the Town Hall was to be used as a polling station.

Cllr Dickson claimed that the banner was a political statement and as such would be illegal outside a polling station.

Ald Brown had helped to put the banner up. He said the banner was “a statement of information and not a political statement”.

The row over ‘No’ banners was believed to be unique to Carrick, as it was thought that only Carrick Town Hall was to be used as a polling station.

Ald Brown said: “In the past I have been assured by the electoral office that so long as the name or party of the candidate is not displayed and there is nothing to suggest where a voter should place his preference, that there is nothing illegal.”

The banner was believed to have cost £100.