Flags 'being used to mark territory’ in County Derry villages

by Caoimhe Hegarty

The Orange Order’s official flag has appeared on a flag pole erected by Causeway Coast and Glens Council in Garvagh town centre.

The County Derry Post understands that the flag pole was erected close to a war memorial in the County Derry village by the council last month for a wreath laying event organised by the Royal British Legion.

However this week, a Union flag was replaced by an Orange Standard flag on Thursday ahead of a band parade which took place on Friday night.

Council officials are believed to have attended and the Union flag was re-erected. However a short time later, the Orange Standard flag was put back up again by a group of youths.

One local woman, who remained too fearful to be named, said the behaviour was a ‘blatant attempt to mark out territory’.

Following the flag’s appearance SDLP’s John Dallat has criticised the Causeway Coast and Glens Council for deciding to erect the flag pole.

“It seems strange that the local council would erect a flag pole which is facilitating all kinds of flags. Over the past week, different flags have appeared and been removed again.  It would be interesting to find out who authourised this flag pole in the first instance,” he said.

Mr Dallat added: “Given that Coleraine town centre is snowed under by paramilitary flags, the local council should not be facilitating this behaviour. Instead, the council should be focusing on community relations.”

A spokesperson for Causeway Coast and Glens District Council last night said: “The pole is to be erected for a short period.  In this case, such a temporary pole of such short duration, is of no planning consequence.”

Meanwhile, individuals have also accused of 'territorial marking' after paramilitary flags were erected in Tobermore.

A man from the village, who wished to remain anonymous said that the erection of UVF flags ahead of the Twelfth celebrations was ‘disgraceful’.

He said: “The issue of flags in Tobermore has well been documented in local press this year. Every flag pole is decked out. I understand that this happens every year but the erection of UVF flags just last week is taking it a step too far.  It is absolutely disgraceful. Those responsible are just using these flags to mark out their territory but the sad thing is that this behaviour it is tolerated.”