Northern Ireland

More threatening posters put up in Mid Ulster

A poster appearing to threaten council staff has been put up in the Monrush area of Cookstown. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin.
A poster appearing to threaten council staff has been put up in the Monrush area of Cookstown. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin. A poster appearing to threaten council staff has been put up in the Monrush area of Cookstown. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin.

A fresh poster appearing to threaten council staff has been put up in Mid Ulster.

It is believed the sinister poster, which reads ‘Attention Mid Ulster Council - continued cultural oppression can only lead to aggression toward the oppressor', appeared in the Monrush area of Cookstown in recent days.

Similar threatening posters have been erected in loyalist areas around Dungannon in recent weeks.

It comes after Mid Ulster District Council voted to introduce a bonfire licensing scheme across the district.

Last month a senior lawyer said a challenge brought by unionists, who are opposed to the plan, “does not have merit”.

The Irish News revealed this week that as part of the proposed new policy, bonfire organisers will be required to take out their own public liability cover and adhere to health and safety regulations.

Sinn Féin councillor Cathal Mallaghan described the posters as “threatening”.

“It seems to be something that is starting a bit of a trend but nobody has said they are responsible for it,” he said.

Mr Mallaghan urged members of the public to read the council policy.

“Nobody is trying to stop nobody from having a bonfire, we just want it done in a responsible way,” he said.

“People should take some time to read the bonfire policy and they will see everybody will have the opportunity to express their culture but they have to be safe and legal.”