The image appeared at recently-opened Irish Republican Prisoner Welfare Association (IRPWA) premises on north Belfast's Antrim Road. Picture by Mal McCann

A Christmas 'Grinch' dressed in a PSNI uniform, with Santa pointing a rifle at him, has been painted on the window of a republican prisoners office in north Belfast just days after a similar display appeared at a Saoradh office in Derry.

The recently-opened Irish Republican Prisoner Welfare Association (IRPWA) premises on the Antrim Road has the picture of the 'Grinch' looking at a small child with the caption "Hey Peelers Leave Our Kids Alone".

The organisation fundraises for families of dissident republican prisoners aligned the so called 'New IRA'.

In Derry a similar cartoon on a window of the Saoradh national headquarters depicts the 'Grinch' hammering a door with a police battering ram.

Featuring the Dr Seuss character dressed in a police uniform, the caption says "Have Yourself a Derry Little Christmas".

Last Christmas the party sparked controversy when an image of a snowman holding a rocket launcher alongside the words "Wishing You an Explosive Christmas" was painted on the windows of the same Chamberlain Street offices.

Charges were subsequently brought against two men under the public order legislation but were dismissed at Derry Magistrate's Court last June.