Sinn Féin has urged people not to respond to the theft of an Irish Tricolour by loyalist youths in Strabane.
Three youths were captured on CCTV removing the flag from a pole at Springhill Estate/Head of the Town. Sinn Féin councillor, Michaela Boyle said it was vital that nationalist youths did not respond to the incident.
Ms Boyle said: “Loyalists who removed the Irish national flag in the Head of the Town are determined to stir up tension in the local community. We have now seen a week of loyalist violence and attacks across the north and this is just another escalation of the tension whipped up by political unionism.
“I would appeal for people to remain calm at this time and urge unionist parties to show leadership and de-escalate this activity now.”
