Scots council could fly Irish tricolour for 1916 Easter Rising

A Scottish council could fly the Irish tricolour from its building to commemorate the centenery of the 1916 Easter Rising.

North Lanarkshire Council is considering an application from Irish cultural organisation Cairde Na hEireann to fly the flag from three locations in Motherwell, Coatbridge and Cumbernauld.

Supported by the council’s corporate services committee, the application, which goes against current policy, will be discussed at a meeting of local authority bosses.

It is believed a number of councillors are against the bid.

The Easter Rising took place in Dublin a hundred years ago. It put Ireland on the path to independence when 15 of its leaders were executed by the British.

A spokesman for North Lanarkshire Council said: “We received a request to fly the national flag of Ireland to commemorate the centenary of the Easter Rising.

“The corporate services committee decided to support this application. However, because this decision would represent a departure from current council policy the matter will have to be considered at a future meeting of the council.”