FLAGS erected on a water tower in Co Down have still not been removed more than a week after complaints were made.
Union and Northern Ireland flags have been placed on top of the 110ft structure in Rathfriland. The top of the tower has also been painted red, white and blue.
NI Water had said the flags were "erected without permission" following a "break-in", and the public body was organising their "safe removal".
"It is believed the outer wall was scaled and the strengthened lock to the tower's inner steel access door was cut open," it had said.
But more than a week on, the flags have still not been taken down.
A spokeswoman for NI Water yesterday said it was liaising with local representatives.
"NI Water is liaising with local political and community representatives in relation to taking down flags erected without permission at Rathfriland Tower a number of days ago," she said.
"The safe removal of the flags remains our key priority."
Built in 1977, the tower holds almost 700,000 litres of water and supplies Rathfriland town.
Police said they received a report on Tuesday last week of flags erected and damage caused to the water tower.
The red, white and blue paint atop the tower has been present in previous years. Flags have also been erected on previous occasions.
Sinn Féin South Down MP Chris Hazzard had branded the display an "act of vandalism" and questioned how access was gained to the tower.
"NI Water have questions to answer about how this was allowed to happen," he said.