Opinion

Opinion: Concern over Irish street sign case

A council has threatened to prosecute an 85-year-old woman over an "unauthorised" Irish language street sign
A council has threatened to prosecute an 85-year-old woman over an "unauthorised" Irish language street sign A council has threatened to prosecute an 85-year-old woman over an "unauthorised" Irish language street sign

While it will always be hard to maintain completely consistent official policies over symbols and emblems, there will be widespread concern over the threat to impose a £2,500 fine on an 85-year-old woman for putting up an Irish language street sign outside her Co Antrim home.

It will be noted that deeply contentious banners supporting Soldier F, the former British parachute regiment member facing two murder charges over the Bloody Sunday killings, have been allowed to remain in place above many public roads over recent months.

If the residents of a particular neighbourhood have no objection to a small Irish sign, it is difficult to understand why Antrim and Newtownabbey Council feels compelled to make a legal intervention over the issue.

It can certainly be expected that the attitude of the authorities towards the Soldier F displays will be closely monitored if the Randalstown case proceeds.