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A banner listing the names of 46 people killed by the IRA during the Troubles, has gone up in a Co Tyrone town.

It is unclear who is behind the large billboard, which was erected on private land in the Oldtown area of Cookstown on the Eleventh night.

Some Catholics, including disappeared Columba McVeigh, are among those named on the sign as “victims of the Irish Republican East Tyrone mob”.

While victims of the massacre at Teebane crossroads just outside Cookstown and Protestants killed as a result of mistaken identity are also listed.

Monrush Social Society shared pictures of the billboard on its Facebook page - hitting out those who later physically attacked it.

It has since been removed from its position on a grass verge just off Oldtown Street, but a post on the page said it "will be going back up".

As well as the attack on the banner of names, a number of flags were reported stolen from nearby homes, while a second banner celebrating the 40th anniversary of Son’s of William Flute Band was also damaged.

A Monrush spokesperson said: "Quite a number of flags went missing over the festive season. Paddy’s Day was in this same town and there wasn't a flag touched.

"I think it’s shocking that they can’t let one day go. The rest of the street was neutral."

As for the banner containing the names of IRA victims, he admitted some people could be offended as it doesn't contain the names of those killed by loyalists.

But he added: "I don’t see it that way."

Mid Ulster victims forum member and SDLP councillor Denise Mullen said the poster could "stoke tensions in the area".

She was four when her father was murdered by the loyalist Glennane gang at their Moy home.

“It’s sad really that this is level we are at in the province,” she said.

“Should I now take advice and look about hoarding for the victims of state assassinations?”