Sectarian graffiti sparks war of words

Two local councillors have hit out at each other for their reactions to the letters ‘UDA’ which were plastered along a road in the John Street area.

Banbridge District council’s technical services department initially tried to remove the graffiti with a powerful hose but had to wait on specially ordered detergent to clear away all remnants of the paramilitary slogan last week.

Independent councillor Dessie Ward criticised TUV councillor Stephen Herron for his alleged “double standards” on condemning the matter.

However Mr Herron responded by saying he has a consistent record of condemnation when it comes to graffiti and sectarianism of any kind.

Mr Ward said, “A number of months ago we had Jim Wells and Stephen Herron jumping on the media band-wagon highlighting the appearance of dissident republican graffiti in the Rathfriland area.

“However, I have yet to hear of them getting their photograph taken and condemning the appearance of UDA graffiti in John Street in the same way.

“Graffiti of this kind is unacceptable and should be removed by the council as soon as it appears.

“The appearance of UDA graffiti in Rathfriland doesn’t mean that the nationalist community is now under threat from the UDA in the area anymore than the unionist community is under threat from dissident republicans.”

He said the apparent disparity in the reaction to sectarian graffiti in the Rathfriland area “has not been lost on the local community.”

But Mr Herron responded by saying Mr Ward’s comments displayed a “total ignorance of fact”.

“I have consistently called for the removal of grafitti regardless of its subject or where it appears - this case is no different.

“He should recall, and acknowledge, that when highly offensive graffiti, directed at himself, appeared at the Rathfriland bonfire site in recent years I made a statement which appeared in the local press in which I condemned the nature of the writing, and specifically asked those responsible to desist from such.”