Northern Ireland

Sinn Féin councillor condemns "intimidatory" UVF flag at rail station close to Belfast City Airport

The flags have been erected at the Sydenham train station in east Belfast, close to Belfast City Airport. Picture by Cliff Donaldson
The flags have been erected at the Sydenham train station in east Belfast, close to Belfast City Airport. Picture by Cliff Donaldson The flags have been erected at the Sydenham train station in east Belfast, close to Belfast City Airport. Picture by Cliff Donaldson

THE flying of loyalist flags, including a UVF symbol, at a train station near Belfast City Airport has been condemned as "deliberately provocative and intimidatory" by a Sinn Féin councillor.

Union Jack, Northern Ireland and UVF flags have been erected on a lamppost at the Sydenham rail station, a close distance from the airport and one of the first sights for visitors.

The flags are visible both from the entrance to the rail halt and the roads connecting the airport with the centre of Belfast.

Mairéad O'Donnell, a councillor on Belfast City Council, has urged unionist politicians to "act urgently to have these flags removed".

She said: "The display of loyalist flags, including a paramilitary emblem, is deliberately provocative and intimidatory, particularly to nationalists who regularly use this line.

"Given the enormous efforts and resources that we expend on attracting tourists and business people to our city, this sectarian display also sends out an entirely wrong and negative message to these visitors.

"I would urge unionist politicians in East Belfast to speak out against this sectarian behaviour and to act urgently to have these flags removed."

Translink could not be reached for comment last night.