Removal of union flag near GAA ground treated as a ‘hate crime …
The PSNI has confirmed it is treating the removal of a Union flag from a post in Co Tyrone[1] as a “sectarian motivated hate crime”. A video of the incident, circulating on social media, shows a number of people walking along a road and in the distance a man is seen scaling a tall post in a field and removing the flag. The flag’s removal is followed by a number of people cheering.
The incident occurred around the time of the Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final which was played on Saturday at Healy Park in Omagh. The incident is understood to have happened on the Gortin Road, not far from Healy Park. A DUP MLA has described the incident as “abhorrent” and is linking it to the Derry v Monaghan match at Healy Park.
Tom Buchannan is calling on the GAA to show “leadership” on the issue. A spokesperson for the PSNI[3] said: “Police received a report of the theft of a flag from the Gortin Road area of Omagh[4] on Saturday 29th April. “Enquiries are continuing and at this stage, the incident is being treated as a sectarian motivated hate crime.”
West Tyrone DUP[5] MLA Tom Buchannan said: “This Union Flag was removed when supporters attending a County GAA match in Omagh yesterday were parking near by. A man entered private property and removed the Union Flag. “I know the family and I have spoken with them about this incident of hate.”
He continued: “This was theft and it will be a matter for the police. But there is also an issue of leadership. The GAA crowd can be heard cheering as the Union Flag is removed.
Any supporter found to be involved in this incident should be sanctioned by the Ulster Council. I will be writing to the Ulster Council drawing their attention to the issue. Also if the man who stole the flag was attending the match, what action will be taken against him by the GAA?
“As we enter the week of the Coronation, lots of families will display their Union Flags on their property. It is abhorrent that anyone should feel they have a right to enter private property and remove any flag. People have a right to fly whatever flag they wish and should have their right protected and respected by all.”
Mr Buchannan added: “This is also a matter of political leadership as the local nationalist controlled council refuses to fly the Union Flag and respect those ratepayers with a British identity.”
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