COUNCIL staff who tried to remove a UDA flag hanging outside council offices in Co Derry were subjected to intimidation from “sinister elements,” the deputy mayor has said.
It is unclear when the flag was erected but the SDLP say they have been working to secure its removal from outside Causeway Coast and Glens Council offices in Limavady.
Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Council, Ashleen Schenning, said staff were intimidated on Wednesday night.
“I have been contacted by people from both sides of our community and they are clear that nobody wants these flags flying,” she added.
“Council staff attempted to remove this illegal paramilitary flag from our offices last night but were prevented from doing so by sinister elements.
“Those responsible for the intimidation of public servants have nothing to offer people here and must be faced down by our community.”
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter contacted the PSNI and asked them to facilitate the removal of the flag, which she said was causing “immense hurt and distress” to people from across the community.
“Limavady is a shared and welcoming community,” she said.
“There is no place for the illegal flags of paramilitary murderers in this, or any, community.”
