Bemusement as Union Jack erected over Crown Buildings in Derry

(Picture by Tom Heaney)

While the Irish national flag was occasionally in evidence to mark St Patrick's Day in Derry and Strabane, the Union Jack also re-appeared on one city-centre building for the day.

There was bemusement, and a little bewilderment, from members of the public passing Crown Buildings on Asylum Road on Saturday to see the British flag flying at full mast to mark the holiday.

"It is incredible," said one festival-goer, "that the state would pay someone overtime to come in and put up this flag up over an empty building, and then take it down again eight hours later.

"If you were cynical you might think that someone was out to make a point. Good luck to their wit."