Outrage as another Irish sign is defaced

25 January 2017

THE vandalism of two bilingual signs in the district has been condemned by leading Irish language officials.

A road sign in English and Irish at Ballylucas outside Downpatrick was knocked over recently, while a dual language welcome sign at the Belfast Road in Ballynahinch was defaced with black paint.

Aoife Nic Con Midhe, a development officer with the Lecale Gaelic Society and Sara Ní Chuireáin, her counterpart with the Lower Mourne Gaelic League, say the Irish language should not offend anyone and both women are calling for dual language signs to be respected.

The damaged signs were erected by Newry, Mourne and Down Council under its bi-lingual policy.

“Everyone owns these signs and as an Irish language development officer and local resident I am deeply saddened and angry to see this vandalism,” said Aoife. “Why anyone would want to destroy a sign because there is Irish on it is unbelievable.

“People need to understand that it is simply a language. A language cannot discriminate, a language cannot segregate and a language cannot separate people. People are guilty of carrying out these acts, not a language.”

Aoife said there is a “strong, vibrant and growing” Irish speaking community in the Lecale district and across the Newry, Mourne and Down Council area in general which should be reflected and accommodated.

“Irish speakers are only asking that the commitments given in the Good Friday and the St Andrew’s agreements be honoured and respected,” she continued.

“We believe the current stalemate at Stormont and the refusal of certain politicians to recognise and respect the rights of the language is not helping the situation and we would encourage our local councillors, MLAs, and MPs to condemn these attacks. We also appeal to the whole community to stop this destruction immediately. People imitate their leaders whom we want to lead by example.”

Sara added: “The Irish language shouldn’t offend people. It is a part of all our history and heritage; it is in our place names and everywhere around us. It is a language for all people, regardless of political, religious or social backgrounds. Vandalising signs will not make the Irish language disappear.”