Condemnation of sectarian graffiti
A DUP councillor has slammed sectarian graffiti which has been sprayed outside the homes of Protestants in Co Antrim.
The letters "FTQ" were scrawled across a road in Rasharkin. Ballymoney councillor John Finlay called the graffiti "most offensive".
The village is currently mixed but a number of Protestant families have left in the last few years after intimidation.
The latest incident comes just a week after a controversial band parade in the village, which was opposed by a local residents' group. Last Friday the parade was delayed by two-and-a-half hours after a device was left at the back of an Orange hall. The army had to be called out to defuse it.
Two weeks ago, republicans erected a sign at the entrance to the village which said "PSNI not welcome" along with an Irish tricolour.
"I totally condemn those responsible for this graffiti sprayed outside the homes of Protestants in the village of Rasharkin," Mr Finlay said.
"This is most offensive, intimidating and sectarian to the Protestants and unionists living in the village. It is also most offensive to Her Majesty the Queen.
"I call on Sinn Fein and the SDLP to come out and condemn this act of sectarianism.
"I also call on them to come out and say that Protestants and unionists are welcome in the village and to face down those targeting Protestants in this discriminatory and sectarian manner."
Sinn Fein North Antrim MLA Daithi McKay spoke out against the graffiti but claimed it was part of an ongoing tit-for-tat between the two communities in Rasharkin.
"Sectarian graffiti is to be condemned in the village and there are such examples referring to the pope and the British Queen on footpaths, roads and street signs," he said.
Mr McKay claimed that last week's parade was "responsible for the raising of tensions in the area but it is up to political representatives to now try and reduce the level of tensions by acting in a responsible manner".
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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