Anger as new UVF wall mural in east Belfast takes shape
A new paramilitary mural in east Belfast is another example of the UVF trying to hold the community back and impose its authority on the area, the DUP has said.
The depiction of two masked gunmen firing rifles and prison huts has appeared on the junction of Carlingford Street and Ardenvohr Street.
The outline appeared just a couple of weeks after the controversial move to paint over a mural of famed Belfast footballer George Best in Inverwood Court. It was replaced by a UVF gunman.
DUP councillor Gavin Robinson said he had spoken to the police and thought they had identified those who had painted it and were considering options.
“It’s outrageous an organisation which faced so much criticism three weeks ago over the Sydenham mural, has done exactly the same thing again. Whenever Northern Ireland society wants to move forward they seem to want to drag the community back,” he said.
“I see it as a stamp of authority and marking out territory, that’s not where our community wants to go in east Belfast.”
Sinn Fein councillor Niall O Donnghaile said some within loyalism were stepping up to the mark, with PUP politicians such as Councillor John Kyle saying the murals are not wanted.
But he added: “There is obviously a very small section of people who are determined to try and intimidate and frighten.”
Alliance councillor Maire Hendron said she wanted to know why these intimidating murals were felt to be necessary.
