Several Rainbow flags have emerged on the Cornagrade Road in Enniskillen ahead of Pride Day tomorrow (Saturday) with many more planned to go up in other towns and villages in Fermanagh tonight.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, James Carroll of the Enniskillen Independent Republican Committee, confirmed that the group is responsible for the erection of the rainbow flags.

He told this newspaper: “We, as a committee, had been thinking about raising the flags for a while and we decided that last night was the time to do it. We want to show our support of the LGBTQ+ community and the Pride celebrations this weekend.”

He added: “It has nothing to do with Arlene Foster and her statement in any way. It was a genuine coincidence.”

This is regarding Mrs. Foster’s defence of her colleagues who effectively blocked a vote by Councillors wishing to fly the rainbow flag at a council building. Council members of the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (ABC) claimed that the motion was not related to Pride but instead a ruse by republicans to remove the Union flag.

Mr. Carroll has declared that more rainbow flags are to be raised tonight, Friday, August 3, across the Fermanagh towns and villages of Lisnaskea, Newtownbutler, Rosslea and Brookborough.

At the most recent council meeting of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council a motion was passed that Enniskillen Castle will be lit up pink in support of the LGBTQ+ community’s Pride Day celebrations on Saturday, August 4.