Fury as police remove Union flags in estate
UUP leader Tom Elliott hit out at the PSNI’s actions in the Coleshill area while Irish tricolours continue to fly from lampposts in a nearby republican neighbourhood.
In a long-standing practice to coincide with the marching season, Coleshill residents erected the flags last Thursday evening. However, amid much anger, police moved in within hours to take away the symbols.
In contrast, a large number of tricolours, which were erected by republicans on lampposts along the town’s Cornagrade Road in the early spring, continue to fly.
Police say they removed the Union flags at the request of a number of residents but one local claimed a petition of the estate showed the vast majority of people support the annual erection of the flags.
Mr Elliott, who has spoken with senior police regarding the matter, said officers were guilty of “double standards” and called for “equality” over the wider issue of flags.
The UUP MLA pointed to the fact that the Irish tricolours have been up since March, and despite numerous complaints police have taken no action.
The Cornagrade Road is one of Enniskillen’s busiest thoroughfares carrying a large number of traffic in and out of the island town.
“A lot of traffic use that road and obviously a lot of people would be from the unionist community,” Mr Elliott said.
Calling for the tricolours to be taken down, the UUP leader claimed not only unionists found their presence intimidating.
He said: “I understand there have been several complaints from local people in the Kilmacormick/Cornagrade area as well.”
One Coleshill resident, who contacted the News Letter, called into question the integrity of the police.
He said: “Seemingly the PSNI have their own flags protocol. They are working on an agenda that suits themselves.”
When contacted by the News Letter, a PSNI spokesman said: “Police were contacted by residents of the Coleshill area of Enniskillen and at their request police removed three Union flags.
“The Police Service of Northern Ireland is firmly committed, through work with partner agencies and local communities, to address the issues surrounding the flying of flags in public areas.”
He added: “We have worked with and will continue to work with all interested parties to bring about a resolution to the flags issue.
“However, the resolution of this issue is not one for police alone, it requires the efforts of the community, their representatives and partner agencies.
“Police would encourage everyone to participate to reach a positive outcome.”
