Union flag to fly for Thatcher funeral
Belfast City Hall will fly the Union flag at half-mast next Wednesday for the funeral of Baroness Thatcher.
DUP Lord Mayor Gavin Robinson said it is a “mark of respect” for the 87-year-old former prime minister, who died on Monday following a stroke.
The flying of the flag in Belfast has been limited to designated days since last December, when councillors voted through a change of policy.
It led to widespread protests and riots across Northern Ireland. Around 150 police officers were injured and hundreds of arrests were made.
DUP councillor William Humphrey welcomed the news that the flag will be raised next week.
“I welcome that City Hall will take its place among other Government buildings in flying the flag at half-mast for the funeral of this prominent former prime minister,” he said.
“Whilst views of her premiership will continue to be debated, there is no doubt that the vast majority of our citizens would wish that due recognition and respect should be paid to mark her passing.”
Meanwhile, officers from the PSNI’s Operation Dulcet inquiry team are continuing to investigate offences linked to the loyalist flag protests.
A 53-year-old man was charged on Tuesday with disorderly behaviour linked to disorder in east Belfast on 5 January. He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates on 7 May.
