THERE have been calls for a Union flag hoisted outside a Catholic church in Co Down to be taken down.
The flag was put up outside the Sacred Heart Church in predominantly-nationalist Dundrum in recent weeks.
Tucked into a corner of picturesque Dundrum Bay, the small village has been bedecked by Union flags in the run up to next week’s ‘Twelfth’ demonstrations.
The village is home to comedian Patrick Kielty whose businessman father Jack was shot dead by the UDA in January 1988.
The latest incident comes after similar calls were made for a Union flag to be removed from the grounds of a Catholic church in Dervock in Co Antrim.
Newry, Mourne and Down District councillor Pol Ó Gribín said the flag should be removed.
“The fact is there should be no flying of flags outside a place of worship and the flag should be removed immediately.
“I would like to understand how this flag has been placed outside a Catholic church. What is the meaning of it?”
Independent councillor Patrick Clarke last night said he has received complaints from residents about the flag and branded the move “disrespectful and unjustified”.
The councillor believes the flag was erected outside the church “to cause deliberate provocation”.
The councillor said he raised the matter with the PSNI and Orange Order.
A spokesman for the PSNI said flags are not their responsibility “and police can only act to remove flags where there are substantial risks to public safety”.
