THERE has been widespread commentary following the sudden erection of many Union Jack flags, Ulster banners and Northern Ireland Centenary flags in and around Enniskillen.

There were more than 40 pro-Union flags erected in various sizes, raised from Gaol Square out the Dublin Road to Killyhevlin Industrial Estate. It is not known who erected the flags.

One Enniskillen councillor suggested the flags could be detrimental to tourism in the wake of Covid-19.

SDLP Enniskillen Councillor Paul Blake said: “I have received a number of calls about [the flags]; I think it is awful.

"We are trying to welcome visitors to the town, and we don’t need to see any kind of flags of any sort hanging from a lamppost.

“It doesn’t matter whether it is a Tricolour or a Union Jack – we don’t need to see any of them when we are trying to welcome visitors to the town, and are trying to show ourselves to be a very inclusive community in Fermanagh.

“When you see things like that marking the main roads into the town, it’s certainly not to be welcomed.

“It does nothing but antagonise somebody else, and that is not what we are trying to achieve.

“When we are getting things back to some degree of normality, we want to welcome visitors to the town, and we don’t want to show ourselves up [by] hanging flags from lampposts.”

However, DUP Enniskillen Councillor Keith Elliott said: "I am aware of complaints relating to flags in Enniskillen.

"I would appeal to those making complaints to have a bit of mutual respect and understanding for everyone's identity and cultural expression."

Councillor Elliot made reference to black flags flying at half-mast on the Cornagrade Road to commemorate 40 years since the 1981 hunger strikes, which have caused some confusion and concern across the area.

He said: “On a daily basis, 365 days a year, flags fly on Cornagrade Road and yet nobody has taken them down.

"I also see posters commemorating terrorists that are put up on lampposts, and yet nobody will take them down. It is such posters which cause immense hurt to innocent victims.

“If those complaining would encourage those responsible for such posters to take them down, perhaps they can then lecture about flags elsewhere, and maybe take time to speak to Unionists and Loyalists to gain some understanding from their community."

Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan expressed her concerns about the erection of the flags in Enniskillen.

She said: "These flags result in a rise in community tension, and they are intimidating to many, particularly if they are erected right outside somebody's house.

"The majority of the flags have been erected on Roads Services NI property, and I have requested that they remove them from their poles.

"I have written to the Minister of Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon, who is responsible for Roads Services, looking for meaningful action.

"I have also spoken with the police on this matter, and contacted the Justice Minister, Naomi Long.

"I have no problem with people from a Unionist background flying flags respectfully, but the manner, amount and location of these flags is concerning.

"I would also urge any community leaders who may hold sway over these midnight flag-erectors to have a word with them," she added.