Union flag removed from outside Dundrum chapel

Union flag removed from outside Dundrum chapel

15 July 2015

A COUNCILLOR has welcomed the removal of a Union flag which was erected on a lamp post directly outside the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dundrum last week. 

The flag was put up at night last week along with dozens of other flags in the village. Councillor Patrick Clarke appealed to the Orange Order and PSNI to step in a remove the flag after receiving concerns from local residents. 

The Slieve Croob councillor had branded the flying of the Union flag directly outside the church as both disrespectful and unjustified. 

The flag was removed on Sunday night which was welcomed by the councillor.

“I had appealed to people with direct influence within the Protestant community to ask those who erected the Union flag to respect the fact that a church, irrespective of religious faith, is a place of worship and sanctuary and there can be no justification in allowing a Union flag to fly,” he said.

“There were already countless numbers of various flags already erected on nearly every street lamp pole along the Main Street of Dundrum Village so there was no justification for a Union flag erected straight outside the Catholic church.

“However, after speaking to both a member of the local Orange Order and the PSNI the Union flag was subsequently removed over the July bank holiday weekend following the PSNI liaising with members within the local community who were responsible for erecting flags in Dundrum village.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to both commend and warmly welcome the taking down of the Union flag from outside the Sacred Heart Church and thank the PSNI and members of the local community who assisted following discussions in the removal of the Union flag from outside the church.

“Generally cross-community relations are actually very good within Dundrum so this positive gesture by the removal of the Union flag clearly illustrates and demonstrates that compromise and understanding can be reached through direct dialogue which has now successfully resolved the situation much to the satisfaction of many local people.”