Flying of UVF flag in Waterside area of Derry condemned

The flying of an Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) flag at Altnagelvin roundabout has received condemnation from local politicians. 

Spotted in the Lisnagelvin area at the weekend, residents in the area and X users, formerly known as Twitter, were concerned with the paramilitary flag flying. 

This UVF flag was one of a number mentioned as concerning, including other similar flags on the Limavady Road and Glendermott Road areas.

The deputy mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council condemned the flying of the flag.

Ulster Unionist Party alderman Darren Guy said nobody wants to see these flags flying. 

Alderman Guy said: “Nobody wants to see those things flying. I don’t mind Union flags, Ulster flags, and Apprentice Boys flags being put up to celebrate the twelfth and if they are removed after it. 

“But you see paramilitary flags; nobody wants to see any of that, and I just hope whoever put it up sees sense and takes it down again.”

Sinn Fein Councillor Christopher Jackson shared this condemnation of the flying of the UVF flag in the area. 

Cllr Jackson said: “These flags have been put up deliberately to intimidate and it is completely unacceptable. 

“There is no room for intimidation anywhere in this city. We have reported those flags as a hate crime to the police, we have reported them to DFI and we are open to working with everybody to try and get them removed. They are causing division in a community in the Waterside and there are a lot of people concerned. 

“The simple message is this type of intimidation won't be tolerated and it needs to stop because as a city we have come far too far and we are not getting dragged back by those wanting to sow division in our community.”

Regarding the flying of the flag a spokesperson for the PSNI said: “Every case reported to police is considered on an individual basis and, where offences have been committed, they will be dealt with.

“In many cases the erection of a flag is not in of itself an offence. Other government agencies have their own role to play in the removal of flags on their infrastructure and property.”