Row breaks out over new flags in Clough

Row breaks out over new flags in Clough

9 July 2014

A CALL has been issued for the removal of paramilitary flags from Clough just days before the village hosts the district’s annual Twelfth of July parade.

Alliance councillor Patrick Clarke said he has been approached by people on both sides of the religious and political divide concerned at the erection of UVF flags. He said a UVF sign is also included on an arch which has been erected at Main Street in the village.

Councillor Clarke has called on those who erected the flags to remove them as they are “clearly offending and intimidating members of the Protestant community,” but has been accused of “duplicitous behaviour” by UKIP for not condemning the presence of “illegal republican shrines” in his electoral area.

The Alliance politician said he has no issue with the Twelfth parade and fully respects the Protestant community’s right to celebrate its culture and identity, but argues the flying of paramilitary flags “helps no one.”

He continued: “I have been contacted about the flags issue by residents in Clough who feel very intimidated but are too afraid to say anything about it publicly. Residents on both sides are angry the flags were put up without consultation or notification and it’s clear they are not wanted.

“One Protestant resident said he feels ‘intimidated’ driving through Clough and while he does not have a problem with Union flags being flown around the Twelfth, he said paramilitary flags need to come down.”

Councillor Clarke said another Protestant resident concerned about the presence of UVF flags wants the Orange Order to distance itself from their presence in the village.

He added: “Sadly, there is a small element of people who don’t have any respect for anything or anybody and do what they want, including offending members of the Protestant community who have contacted me.

“If members of the Protestant community feel unhappy with paramilitary flags then it is clear those who erected them should respect the wishes of their own community. I would call on community leaders in Clough to try and resolve this issue.”

Accusing councillor Clarke of “duplicitous behaviour,” UKIP’s Alan Lewis said the Alliance politician should be aware that the flags flown in Clough are of a historic nature, as is the picture on the arch.

“What we are seeing is Alliance provocation in the lead up to the Twelfth celebrations. Every year councillor Clarke condemns local unionists who erect flags in Dundrum and Clough, but there has never been any such condemnation of illegal republican shrines in his own constituency,” declared Mr. Lewis. 

“PSNI sources have confirmed to me there have been no issues raised with them regarding Clough’s flags or arch, and they also confirmed that Patrick Clarke never contacted them to report or discuss concerns which were brought to him about he flags. This seems odd when a constituent reports concerns to their councillor the first phone call the local councillor makes is to the press not the police, so I ask who Cllr Clarke is pandering to?

Mr. Lewis added: “The Alliance party unfortunately thrives on community division. Clough is a village proud of its tradition and heritage and has always enjoyed good community relations. Mr. Clarke is attempting to destroy those good relations for a bit of media attention. Alliance’s provocation is unwelcome. I suggest Mr. Clarke focuses his attention on sorting out the illegal terrorist shrines which blight his own constituency. Clough will not be used for political expediency.”

UKIP councillor Henry Reilly has congratulated all those involved in erecting the new arch in Clough ahead of this Saturday’s Twelfth parade in the village. He said the arch is “testament to the confidence and foresight” of Orange brethren in the area to be able to create such a feature.”