"Provocative" Lisnaskea flags anger Sinn Fein

Catriona Loughran • Published 9 Jul 2009 14:35 4 Comments

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Sinn Fein have called for the removal of union and orange flags, which they say have 'saturated' predominantly nationalist town of Lisnaskea.

Councillor Ruth Lynch and Michelle Gildernew MP described the heavy number of flags in the town as 'extremely provocative' and 'immensely damaging to community relations.'

'Last week I counted 21 flags from Courtney"s Garage to the police station, which is about 200 yards and there is simply no need for that, the town is completely saturated,' explained Councillor Lynch.

'I know there was a parade in the town a fortnight ago, but will we have to look at these flags for the rest of the month? They are unsightly for anyone coming through the town and shopkeepers are worried that they are discouraging people from shopping here. These flags have been put up three weeks before the 12th and I have never seen it as bad as this. Everyone knows these flags do not represent the majority of people in this area and I feel they are being put up out of sheer antagonism. This is Lisnaskea, not Lisbellaw,' she stated.

At the same time the flags were erected, the town ran a cross-community festival which Councillor Lynch said in her opinion was 'for nothing'. 'There was a cross-community festival in this town last weekend and those people who worked in the town probably feel it was all for nothing when they see this display of unwanted sectarian Union and Orange flags in this area. There are many people in the Chamber of Commerce and other such groups that are part of the Orange Order that seem to want to do doing nothing about this and I think this is irresponsible and wrong.'

Ms Lynch believes it is not just Lisnaskea that suffers from what she describes as the 'proliferation of Union flags'.

'Other predominately nationalist towns have the same problems with flags that don"t represent the majority of the community. They don"t need to be there'.

The councillor was joined in her expressions of concern by the MP Michelle Gildernew. She called for the removal of flags that she insisted were extremely provocative and immensely damaging to community relations. 'At a time when political and community leaders are working to build a new society, once again we find the loyal orders attempting to dredge up division and old antagonisms. These flags must be removed at once,' she said.

However Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott said quite a number of Unionists live in Lisnaskea and other areas in question and they have a right to be represented.

'Quite clearly Sinn Fein would like to see Unionist people in Lisnaskea have no say at all. These flags were put up to celebrate the Battle of the Somme and after all, we do live in the UK and those residents have the right to fly the Union flag and celebrate their cultural heritage and which I"m sure will be taken down once the 12th fortnight is over.'

Mr Elliott asked why areas like the Cornagrade Road in Enniskillen and Newtownbutler continue to display Republican flags all year round.

'Take for example the entrance to the Erne Hospital, There is a tricolour standing tall above the entrance and many of my constituents who are visiting friends or family members said it is very intimidating. There also seems to be similar flags flying all-year round in Newtownbutler and we don"t hear Sinn Fein complaining about this.'

In response to this, Councillor Lynch said Sinn Fein representatives have made approaches with relevant parties to discuss the issue of flags and to ensure cohesive attempts are made to stop this from leading on to unprovoked attacks or violence leading up to the 12th day celebrations.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 09 Jul 09

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William Blacker
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Jul 10, 09:00
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This is simply Sinn Fein again attempting to have all vestiages of the Protestant and British culture removed from Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the UK and the Union jack is our national flag no matter how much Sinn fein "gurne" otherwise. If this is Sinn Fein's idea of "parity of estemm" or "reaching out to the unionist community" and respecting other cultures then Northern Ireland's future looks very bleak!

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Clodagh
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Jul 16, 14:49
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William I do believe that Michelle Gildernew never said "Don't fly these flags" she said "I know there was a parade in the town a fortnight ago, but will we have to look at these flags for the rest of the month?"

The Orange leaders claimed to Nationalists "you must learn to respect us" ... how do they expect that when the tricoluor and pictures of Sinn Fein MPs are on top of the bonfires. Yes, indeed a catholic would feel very welcome at the twelfth celebrations and not at all threatened. Note the sarcasm William. I also feel the need to remind you, William, of Fermanagh's great run in the GAA championships last year, I do remember a great deal of 'gurning' from the unionist community when green and white flags were erected to support the county team. So yes, in terms of respecting other cultures Northern Ireland's future does look bleak!

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alec
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Jul 23, 13:16
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Drove through Lisnaskea recently on holiday (from Britain (island of)). The flags are just a bit weird guys... but so were the deliberations of the border boundary commission...Still the steeples were less dreary than I was expecting.

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alec
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Jul 23, 13:30
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Drove through Lisnaskea recently on holiday (from Britain (island of)). The flags are just a bit weird guys... but so were the deliberations of the border boundary commission...Still the steeples were less dreary than I was expecting.

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