Sectarian graffiti painted on wall

Sectarian graffiti painted on wall

10 July 2024

THE painting of sectarian graffiti at a Dundrum housing estate was designed to raise community tension in the village, a local politician has claimed.

‘Up the Ra’ was painted on a gable wall at the De Courcey Way estate — which hosts an Eleventh Night bonfire annually — on Sunday evening. 

Two flags were also removed from homes.

A Catholic resident who contacted the Down Recorder described the area as a good community to live in and people wanted to keep it that way.

“Catholics who live in the estate do not want this graffiti and it is not welcome,” the resident added.

Slieve Croob councillor Alan Lewis has condemned those responsible for raising community tensions in Dundrum.

He said the removal of flags and a sectarian slogan painted on wall adjacent to bonfire by those seeking to raise tensions must not be allowed by those “seeking to wreck community relations”.

Cllr Lewis said no one wanted this type of behaviour, labelling it “intimidatory and threatening” and insisting that those behind it will achieve nothing. 

The Slieve Croob councillor confirmed he has raised the issue with the PSNI and Housing Executive.

“For years, the Eleventh Night bonfire in Dundrum has been a non-issue, through local engagement and working alongside the district’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership, Housing Executive and the police, most of the issues have been successfully resolved,” Cllr Lewis explained.

“There is no space for this type of threatening behaviour. It is not acceptable and the community does not want it,” he continued.

Cllr Lewis described those responsible as “plastic Provos living in a bygone era”.

He said the local community has dealt with much worse over the years, describing this latest incident as “shocking, but unfortunately not surprising.”

Cllr Lewis continued: “The people of Dundrum respectfully and without incident celebrate the marching season, flags are removed after the festivities at the end of August and the green is returned to normal after the bonfire.

“Some home owners are very shaken, upset and rightly feel victimised and I would appeal to those who sneak around in the dead of night, to wise up and grow up.”

He added: “If they want to make a positive contribution to their community then come see me or lift the phone. Don’t be cowards hiding behind a tin of spray paint.”