Flags are 'offensive'-says Deputy Mayor

Alderman George Robinson's Limavady office has been inundated with calls after the flags continued to fly despite assurances that they would be removed after Easter-traditionally the most revered part of the wider republican calendar of commemoration.

The flags which are flying from lamp posts on the Ballyquinn Road are causing offence to people in Limavady according to Mr Robinson.

The town's Deputy Mayor also said the hoisting of the Starry Plough, traditionally associated with one of the conflict most violent groups, the INLA has caused particular consternation.

Speaking to the Sentinel, Mr Robinson said: "The flying of the starry plough, the flag of the organisation who committed the atrocity in Ballykelly, is an offence to all the good people of Limavady-regardless of their political or religious beliefs. These flags are flying alongside tricolours, which are not the flag of Northern Ireland, and the local police had informed me all the flags would be removed after Easter."

In December 1982, the INLA bombed the Droppin Well bar in Ballykelly, killing 17 people.

Mr Robinson continued: "The fact that some flags were removed is of little comfort and cast doubts over the point of having flags forum in the town when recommendations from it are ignored and deliberately flouted by one group.

"The attitude of this small number of people only makes the job of convincing my community to take their flags down, on the days and times agreed to, much more difficult to achieve."

The DUP MLA said that he, East Londonderry MP and Cllr Alan Robinson have held discussions with police representatives, including the Chief Constable to ensure that the flags were removed. However, George Robinson stated: "All assurances received are not worth the breath it took to speak to them. I am now considering raising the matter directly again with the Chief Constable due to the lack of action locally.

"The same people who put these flags up are undoubtedly the same people who have in the past, and will probably in the future, condemn the unionist community for flying the Union Flag as part of their celebrations during the marching season. The Union Flag is after all the national flag of the United Kingdom of which we in Northern Ireland are an integral part.

"I would urge anyone with influence, including the police, to ensure these offensive flags are removed as a matter of urgency to restore the good image of Limavady and good reputation of its people."

Responding to Mr Robinson's criticism, a spokeswoman for the PSNI told the Sentinel: "The PSNI is firmly committed through work with its partner agencies and local communities to address the issues surrounding the flying of flags in public areas through a process of consultation and negotiation.

"However, these are issues that must be worked out a local level and we would encourage everyone to participate positively in this process. The Area Commander is more than happy to meet with both residents and local representatives to discuss issues of concern."