Republican group 1916 Societies admits hoisting Irish flag over Stormont

An Irish Tricolour over Parliament Buildings in Belfast on June 3

The move, which made headlines last week, was met with anger from unionists.

1916 Societies, which will next week launch its “One Ireland One Vote” campaign, said online: “On Wednesday 3rd of June, members of the 1916 Societies, taking advantage of lax security at the Stormont Assembly in Belfast, accessed the roof of the building, using the opportunity to raise the Irish National Flag and its sister flag, the flag of the Irish Republic.”

The move they said was to “reflect the enduring reality that six Irish counties remain under foreign dominion, against the democratically-expressed wishes of the Irish people”.

Mid Ulster councillor Barry Monteith, a member of 1916 Societies, is to speak at the launch of the “One Ireland One Vote” campaign in Dublin this weekend.

The campaign he said, has also got the support of Dublin Mayor Christy Burke who will be first to sign the petition for a 32-county referendum on Irish unity.