Pro-IRA graffiti painted near Newtownabbey beauty spots
Slogans in support of the IRA and Palestine have been painted in the vicinity of two Newtownabbey beauty spots.
A concerned resident contacted the Newtownabbey Times on Wednesday, June 19 to detail how ‘Free Gaza’ had been sprayed on fencing close to Hazelbank Park and Gideon’s Green alongside the lettering ‘IRA’.
Hazelbank Park, operated by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, is set to host a family fun day on Saturday, June 22 as part of the local authority’s staging of Armed Forces Day at the nearby Jordanstown Loughshore Park.
Thousands of spectators are expected to have their eyes on the skies during this weekend’s event for the only visit of the Red Arrows to Northern Ireland this year.
Responding to this newspaper on Thursday, June 20, a council spokesperson said: “The area in question does not belong to the council, however, we have contacted the property owner and informed them of the graffiti. It is the owner’s responsibility to remove it.”
A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland stated: “Police have not received any reports in relation to this. A report can be made by calling 101, or via our website: https://www.psni.police.uk/report”
The Newtownabbey Times reported on March 1 how slogans including ‘Free Gaza’, ‘Sinn Fein’ and ‘IRA’ were painted on numerous surfaces, including a life ring close to Belfast Lough at Hazelbank.
On March 21 Antrim and Newtownabbey Council confirmed work was being carried out to remove pro-IRA and Gaza-related graffiti at Gideon’s Green. ‘Free Gaza’ had been sprayed on a memorial stone, while ‘IRA’ was daubed on a park bench at the location.