Northern Ireland

Online image appears to show anti-Joe Biden banner near Newry

An online image appears to show an anti-Joe Biden banner in Mullaghglass near Newry.
An online image appears to show an anti-Joe Biden banner in Mullaghglass near Newry. An online image appears to show an anti-Joe Biden banner in Mullaghglass near Newry.

While an enormous security operation is underway in Belfast for the arrival of US President Joe Biden, an online image of a banner over a bridge near Newry has suggested not everyone will be rolling out the red carpet.

The image shows a railway bridge in Mullaghglass with the banner reading: "Go Home Provo Joe," in an area where loyalist flags including those for the UVF have been a common sight in the past.

For some unionists, like the TUV's Jim Allister, there remains a perception that President Biden's position is "anti-British and anti-unionist".

Speaking ahead of the state visit, Mr Allister called the President "irredeemably partisan" and said as a Senator he fought any easing of laws which would have allowed wanted IRA terrorists to be extradited to face justice in the United Kingdom."

Joe Biden
Joe Biden Joe Biden

He also questioned "squandering £7m" (estimated cost of Belfast trip) "to try and put a positive spin on celebrating a "failed agreement."

Making light of the image, GAA commentator and podcaster Joe Brolly posted on Twitter: "I can assure you I will be going nowhere."

Already in the President's "inner circle," Mr Brolly recently chatted with the Commander in Chief during a St Patrick's Day visit to Washington.

His wife, the podcaster Laurita Blewitt, is also a third cousin of the President.