Anger after loyalist flags erected outside Irish language primary school

Anger has been expessed at loyalist flags being put up outside an Irish language school in a Co Derry town.

Concern has been expessed at the number of loyalist flags that have been erected in and around Magherafelt town centre in the lead up to the Twelfth celebrations.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was particularly annoyed that Union flags, among others, had been put up outside the town’s Irish language primary school, Gaelscoil an tSeanchai (pictured).

In recent months there has been controversy over the flying of the Union flag in the mainly nationalist town.

For decades, a Union flag has flown all year round on a flag pole in the town centre.

However, the flagpole is now set to be done away with as part of Magherafelt’s £1.9 million town centre regeneration project.

More recently, there has also been controversy over plans to build a 1916 Easter Rising monument metres from a proposed war memorial at Broad Street.

However , the local man said last night said he believed that ‘Brexit’ may have had some influence in the erection of so many flags.

He said: “I am very concerned about the amount of flags that have been put up in Magherafelt this year. The whole town centre is covered. In recent years, it hasn’t been too bad but they seem to have gone to town this year. Maybe it’s down to the Brexit decision.

“Those responsible for putting the flags up deserve credit for keeping the area in front of the chapel free from flags but flags have been put up outside the Irish primary school and that doesn’t bode well within the local community. There was no call for that,” said the man.

DUP Councillor, Anne Forde the flags were only put up along the route of a Somme Commemoration parade which took place on Friday night.

She said: “I know that the lads who put up the flags are very careful where they put them ad that is why the area in front of the chapel is clear.”

“Once the band parades finish at the end of the season then all the flags will come down,” added Mrs Forde.