Northern Ireland

Call for flags `regulation' after Ormeau Road decked out in union and other flags

Union flags were erected along the Ormeau Road on Thursday night
Union flags were erected along the Ormeau Road on Thursday night Union flags were erected along the Ormeau Road on Thursday night

THERE were calls last night for some form of flags "regulation" after Union and other flags were put up along a busy south Belfast road.

Northern Ireland flags were among emblems hung from lamp posts along the Ormeau Road, from the Ormeau bridge to the Rosetta roundabout on Thursday evening.

In 2018, a `flags protocol’ introduced in the area banned paramilitary banners.

According to the understanding, no more than one flag should be erected from a lamp post and they should be put up in the middle of June and taken down no later than early September.

Only Union and Northern Ireland flags are to be displayed under the new rules, which were introduced by the Ballynafeigh Unionist Forum.

The protocol also stated that "out of respect and as per previous years there will be no flag on the lamp post nearest the entrance to the Catholic Church near Rosetta roundabout [Good Shepherd]".

Yesterday, flags could be seen on a number of lamp posts outside the church but not on the one nearest the entrance.

SDLP assembly member Claire Hanna said her party has for a long time "sought regulation to ensure that no one political view point, and particularly divisive political view point, is allowed to dominate the public space for months on end".

"The Ormeau Road is a unique, diverse neighbourhood with people from different political view points and the majority of people don't want to see flags put up at all," she said.

"I am very happy with the progress that has been made in the last couple of years on the quantity and duration of flags".

The south Belfast MLA said there had been "so many positive examples of community expression" over the last few months, including rainbow artwork and called on people to "be more creative and inclusive about what they project in public spaces in the future".

Alliance councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown said: “The Ormeau Road is a vibrant, diverse, and thriving community which belongs to everyone who calls it home.

"It’s a simple fact that there’s no evidence of popular support for erecting flags and those responsible should stop provoking the wider community every year."

Posting on its Facebook page, Ballynafeigh Unionist Forum said: "This time of year is a very important time for the Unionist people of Ballynafeigh and beyond.

"A year like no other with no commemorations or celebrations,the beautiful sight of the National flag will give many a sense of togetherness that feels so distant.

"The Unionist Forum led from the front in introducing our flags protocol in an aim at creating a respect for everyone in our area. We have abided by our protocol once again and Ballynafeigh Unionist Forum would like to thank all of the community for understanding and support."

A PSNI spokesman said "no reports" had been received in relation to the flags.