Local Councillors have claimed those who erected controversial Parachute Regiment flags in Enniskillen have done so to antagonise and provoke a reaction.

Flags have been erected on lampposts on the Sligo Road and in the Chanterhill area of the town.

Donal O’Cofaigh, newly elected Councillor for Enniskillen with Cross-community Labour Alternative councillor said society needs to move away from the flying of flags for affirmation or to antagonise.

“But that’s not where we are now and despite what we might wish we must recognise that there are rights on all sides when it comes to flag flying; the right to express identity and commemorate history and the right not to be insulted and intimidated.

“Trade unionists recently had to organise a vigil for a journalist murdered by dissident Republicans and Enniskillen doesn’t need further aggravation.

“Overwhelmingly the majority of working people want to move forward.

“It seems unlikely that these flags are being flown to mark the heroism of the paratroop regiment at D-day or in Arnheim, the intention appears to antagonise over the current historic inquiries on killings on Bloody Sunday and in Ballymurphy.

“While there are some who look to flag-flying as a positive expression of their culture, there are many living in the very same areas who will see these displays as dragging their community backwards and more about paramilitary groups marking off their territory. The same is true on all sides. There’s a need for local community leaders and trade unionists to take the lead on this issue to negotiate an inclusive approach to resolve contention around flags and other divisive issues.”

Sinn Féin’s Tommy Maguire said that given the current attention surrounding the Ballymurphy Massacre and the ongoing inquest into the events on that day, the raising of this flag is a provocation.

“It is very unfortunate that somebody thinks, given the current media attention in to the Ballymurphy killings, that putting a paratroop regiment flag up in an area that has had relative good relations is a good idea. It is a direct confrontation and provocation to the Nationalist people,” said Councillor Maguire.

“I’m old enough to remember the Paratroopers and their work against the Nationalist people and awakening up to the news about Ballymurphy and Bloody Sunday.

“So for somebody to put the flags up in such a provocative manner is not welcomed in Enniskillen.”

However, Councillor Maguire does stress that it is a small minority within the community that are putting these flags up.

“But to put the parachute regiment flag on two sides of Enniskillen is very unwelcome and is there to stir up old feelings and obviously does not reflect well on our community in Enniskillen and our community relations.”

And Councillor Maguire has called on who may have some influence in the community to help get these contentious flags taken down.

“There’s a concerted effort across the North to raise these paratrooper flags. Someone is actively trying to stir up ill feeling, it is not just a random act.

“There is no cultural link to the Paratroopers in Enniskillen that I am aware of and it is not a welcome addition to our skyline.

“I would call on local representatives and people in the community who would have some influence in these areas to ask these people to desist.”