Republicans display tricolour beside town war memorial

The tricolour was draped over scaffolding at the public library in the Co Down town in an apparent attempt to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising.

UKIP’s representative in South Down Alan Lewis said: “This is how republicans in the area choose to respect the local community and their unionist neighbours. It seems that Sinn Fein’s equality agenda has completely gone out the window as they hurry to glorify their failed rebellion.

“If this total lack of respect is a glimpse into the united Ireland that republicans so desire - it is no wonder that unionists in this country want absolutely no part of it.”

The incident comes just days after a tricolour was erected beside a Protestant church in Keady, Co Armagh.