Man armed with knife targets election posters

DUP councillor Mrs Jenny Palmer was informed that her posters had been taken down and “butchered” with a stanley knife in the early hours of Friday May 2.

This was brought to her attention after a man was caught on CCTV in Grand Street.

Mrs Palmer explained: “I went down and perused the recording with staff members and it was clear from the footage that the same man was responsible for the sinister message painted on the recently completed Mural by the Hilden Youth Initiative as part of a wider environmental project.”

She continued: “The letters R.I.P and initials of three community workers were written on the Lambeg drum and beside it on the Hilden school art work, IRA and Orange ****s”.

She continued: “My biggest concern is not for the few posters that have been destroyed or the damage to the art work, but the fact that a man armed with a knife is wondering about in the community and has some psychological imbalance that could be a potential danger to local residents.”

Jeffrey Donaldson MP, described the incident as alarming. He commented: “It is crucial that the perpetrator is apprehended as soon as possible as I am of the opinion that this is more sinister than the normal behaviour of someone who would remove election posters.”

The chair of Hilden Community Association Trish McCormick, said “The community workers are dismayed at the recent vandalism in the area, but they won’t be deterred from delivering real programmes that enhance the life and environment of the whole community.”

Meanwhile TUV council candidate for Lisburn South Andrew Moore says he will not be deterred following his election posters being torn down and ripped up in the Windermere Estate.

He said: “Criminal behaviour like this should not be tolerated. It is an attack not just upon myself and Traditional Unionist Voice but upon the democratic process.

“This will not deter me from my efforts seeking election in Lisburn South and TUV will continue to campaign in the area - where our message has been well received and is clearly resonating with the electorate.”

Police say they are investigating the report of election posters being taken down in the Low Road area on the morning of Friday May 2.

Anyone with any information about this is asked to contact Lisburn Police Station on the non-emergency number 101. Or if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.