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Derry IRA ‘recruitment' poster is a hate crime, DUP MLA claims

The IRA poster in the Bogside area of Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin 
The IRA poster in the Bogside area of Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin  The IRA poster in the Bogside area of Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin 

POLICE have rejected claims by a DUP assembly member that an IRA 'recruitment' sign in Derry’s Bogside is “hate crime.”

DUP MLA Gary Middleton reported the sign to police, claiming it was a hate crime against Derry’s unionist community.

The sign was erected some months ago at the junction of Lone Moor Road and Westland Street.

It shows a masked IRA gunman with the words “Unfinished Revolution, Join the IRA, Unfinished Business.”

Mr Middleton said the sign served no other purpose "but to invoke hatred against unionists".

"The IRA are not known for encouraging peace and for many in the community this sign will be deeply distressing, especially to those who lost loved ones at the hands of the IRA.

“We certainly will not tolerate any recruitment drive for a terrorist organisation and I will continue to liaise with police to get a favourable outcome,” he said.

A police spokesman said that as no crime had been disclosed, the incident had not been recorded as a “hate crime.”

In July police were heavily criticised over their response to a banner put up in Dungannon in tribute to murdered LVF leader Billy Wright.

The banner included the quote "I would look back and say Cappagh was probably our best,” a reference to the killing of three IRA men and a civilian in 1991.

Nationalists reacted angrily after a police inspector said the Billy Wright banner would be seen as offensive by some, but not by others.

PSNI chief constable George Hamilton later expressed regret over police handling of the incident.