Northern Ireland

'GAA not welcome in east Belfast' - Stickers condemned as GAA branded 'IRA scum'

Anti-GAA stickers have been put up in east Belfast
Anti-GAA stickers have been put up in east Belfast

Stickers branding the GAA as “IRA scum” have been condemned.

Details of the stickers targeting East Belfast GAA came to light on Tuesday.

The hate-filled stickers read “GAA not welcome in east Belfast” and include the words “IRA scum”.

The club was established in 2020 and provides access to Gaelic games to people of all ages.

It currently has around 600 members and caters for all age groups.

Read More: East Belfast GAA club's goalposts torched by arsonists

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The club has been targeted recently.

In August posts and netting at Henry Jones Playing Fields on the Church Road in the Castlereagh area were torched by arsonists.

A security alert was declared at the same playing fields in May after a threat was called in claiming devices were left at the venue.

Prior to the security alert, Anne Smyth, an unsuccessful TUV candidate in May’s council elections said they are being "converted for GAA use only and three well established football teams have been told to find other accommodation for their sport”.

Belfast City Council said this was untrue.

SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite.
SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite.

SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite said those responsible for the stickers should move on.

"There isn't a single elected representative in the area willing to endorse this pathetic effort to deny east Belfast's diversity," he said.

"There is unanimity amongst parties elected in east Belfast to support recent security proposals for GAA facilities in the area.

"Those behind this hate campaign should get over it and move on."

Alliance councillor Michael Long
Alliance councillor Michael Long

Alliance Councillor Michael Long was critical of the stickers.

"Targeting any group simply for who they are is absolutely not the east Belfast I know,” he said. 

“We are a warm, welcoming community and those attempting to promote hate with the claim of these stickers simply do not represent the majority.”

Mr Long said he has been in touch with police.

"I've been liaising with the PSNI on this issue and would encourage anyone who has seen these across east Belfast to report their locations as soon as possible so that action can be taken,” he said.

A spokesman for the PSNI said: "Police haven’t received any reports regarding stickers appearing in east Belfast."