Latest news with #PaulMaskey
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Graffiti painted onto NIHE van being treated as racist hate crime
Police are treating graffiti on what is believed to be a Northern Ireland Housing Executive van as a racially-motivated hate van was targeted in the Bearnagh Drive area of west Belfast on Monday at some point between 00:00 BST and 08: lord mayor of Belfast Paul Doherty, who is a councillor from the area, condemned the graffiti calling it "disgraceful" and said it "has no place in our society".The police said enquiries are ongoing and they have appealed for witnesses. 'Disgusting xenophobic slurs' Doherty said: "This vile act does not reflect the people of this community. A community built on respect, diversity and solidarity. No family should have to walk past that kind of hatred - but sadly many have, and it has deeply impacted them.""Those responsible should be ashamed. We stand united against racism in all its forms," he MP for the area, Paul Maskey, described the graffiti as "disgusting xenophobic slurs, designed to spread fear and hatred"."Those involved do not speak for the vast majority of west Belfast. Andersonstown is a welcoming community — one which I am proud to be part of and represent."Our resolve is steadfast. Racism will not win."The graffiti displays the letters News NI understands that this stands for Republicans Against Antifa who have been previously described as a "fringe fascist group" by the west Belfast assembly member Gerry Carroll after threatening graffiti appeared about him in March graffiti also includes a word which is derogatory to those who are not McCrum from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said: "There is no place in our society for this type of intimidating behaviour and we will continue to engage with local representatives and partner agencies around community safety."
Irish Post
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Post
Police treat paint attack on Orange Hall in Co. Antrim as hate crime
THE PSNI has said it is treating a paint attack on an Orange Hall in Rasharkin, Co. Antrim as a hate crime. Paint was thrown over the front of the building and graffiti daubed on walls opposite ahead of a Twelfth of July parade in the town. The force has also said it is treating the controversial Moygashel bonfire in Co. Tyrone as a hate incident. Police said they received a report of criminal damage caused to the Orange Hall in Rasharkin shortly after 1.20am on Saturday. "We are treating this criminal damage as a sectarian-motivated hate crime," said Superintendent Sinead McIldowney. "The Police Service condemns all sectarian hate crime and criminal damage caused to any property is absolutely unacceptable." Earlier this week, the bonfire at Moygashel caused controversy after effigies of refugees in a boat were placed on top. Before the bonfire was lit on Thursday night, an Irish flag was also placed on the structure. A statement from the PSNI on Friday said they were investigating the matter as a hate incident, adding 'police are here to help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe'. 'Sectarian and racist hatred' Meanwhile, Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey condemned a bonfire in the Highfield area of Belfast that had numerous Irish Tricolours placed on it. There were also signs reading 'KAT' and 'Stop the Boats'. "Such open and sickening displays of sectarian and racist hatred have absolutely no place in our society," said the West Belfast MP. "Political unionism must speak out and demand the removal of these offensive materials. "Real leadership is needed, although it has been sorely lacking in these communities for some time. "This is clearly a hate crime, and I have reported it to the PSNI." Party colleague Pat Sheehan has also criticised the PSNI over a bonfire in the Village area of Belfast despite concerns about asbestos on the site and its proximity to electrical substations that provide power to two hospitals. The PSNI said it refused a request from Belfast City Council to remove the bonfire following a multi-agency meeting. "The consensus of the meeting was that the risk of the bonfire proceeding as planned was lower and more manageable than the intervention of contractors and the proposed methodology of dismantling the bonfire," said the force. Speaking before the bonfire was lit, Mr Sheehan said: "This would not be allowed to happen anywhere else; I certainly would not be letting my children anywhere near this hazard. "There are questions for the PSNI on how they have come to a decision not to intervene. All steps should be taken to protect public health." See More: Eleventh Night, Moygashel Bonfire, Rasharkin, Twelfth Of July
Irish Independent
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
‘Kill your local Kneecap' – Poster of Irish rap trio attached to loyalist bonfire
The banner, which has a photograph of the west Belfast group as its backdrop has been cable tied to the pallets used to construct the bonfire in the Dungannon area. It features the heading 'Kill your local Kneecap', with a further line stating 'The only good one is a dead one'. In the centre of the poster is the acronym 'KAT', with 'Death to Hamas' and 'Destroy all Irish Republicans' also on the banner. KAT is commonly understood to stand for 'Kill all Taigs', while 'the only good one is a dead one' possibly refers to the slogans uttered by a Kneecap member at a gig in London which was investigated by police – 'kill your local MP' and 'the only good Tory is a dead one'. The group later apologised to the families of two British MPs who had been murdered in recent years. 'Death to Hamas' possibly refers to the 'Death to the IDF [Israeli Defence Forces]' chant led by British punk rockers Bob Vylan at Glastonbury when their set was shown live by the BBC instead of Kneecap's. Both groups have said gig cancellations and investigations of their on-stage declarations are a distraction from the genocide taking place in Gaza. It comes after MP Paul Maskey described similar sectarian displays on a bonfire in west Belfast as 'sickening'. The banners have appeared on a pyre alongside Irish tricolours in the Highfield area of the city, with police confirming the banners are being treated as 'motivated by hate'. The 'KAT' slur has this time been painted onto one of the flags in block capital letters and hung above a sign that reads 'stop the boats'. Another sign with 'ATAT' and 'HYL' painted on it alongside a crosshair target has also been spotted at the site in addition to a sign that warns 'PSNI not welcome in loyalist Highfield'. 'Such open and sickening displays of sectarian and racist hatred have absolutely no place in our society,' said Mr Maskey. "Political unionism must speak out and demand the removal of these offensive materials. 'Real leadership is needed, although it has been sorely lacking in these communities for some time. 'This is clearly a hate crime, and I have reported it to the PSNI.' A PSNI spokesperson said: 'Police have received a report regarding offensive signage placed on a bonfire in the Highfield area. 'Enquiries into this matter, which is being treated as being motivated by hate, are ongoing.' The placing of Ireland flags and other effigies on bonfires has become a fixture of loyalist bonfire season in the North. Earlier this week an effigy of a migrant boat with the slogan 'Stop the boats' was placed on top of a bonfire in the Moygashel area of Co Tyrone, which was later set alight.
Belfast Telegraph
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Kneecap poster with sectarian slogans attached to Eleventh Night bonfire in Co Tyrone
The banner, which has a photograph of the west Belfast band as its backdrop has been cable tied to the pallets used to construct the bonfire in the Dungannon area. It features the heading 'Kill your local Kneecap', with a further line stating 'The only good one is a dead one'. In the centre of the poster is the acronym 'KAT', with 'Death to Hamas' and 'Destroy all Irish Republicans' also on the banner. It comes after MP Paul Maskey described similar sectarian displays on a bonfire in west Belfast as 'sickening'. The offensive banners have appeared on a pyre alongside Irish tricolours in the Highfield area of the city, with police confirming the banners are being treated as 'motivated by hate'. The 'KAT' slur has this time been painted onto one of the flags in block capital letters and hung above a sign that reads 'stop the boats'. Another sign with 'ATAT' and 'HYL' painted on it alongside a crosshair target has also been spotted at the site in addition to a sign that warns 'PSNI not welcome in loyalist Highfield'. Controversial 'migrant boat' bonfire is lit in Moygashel 'Such open and sickening displays of sectarian and racist hatred have absolutely no place in our society,' said Mr Maskey. "Political unionism must speak out and demand the removal of these offensive materials. 'Real leadership is needed, although it has been sorely lacking in these communities for some time. 'This is clearly a hate crime, and I have reported it to the PSNI.' Meanwhile, a derogatory message naming BBC broadcaster Stephen Nolan has also appeared on a bonfire in the Mount Vernon area of north Belfast. A hand-written message on a piece of cardboard has been placed on the pyre, while a Celtic jersey has also been attached to the same structure. The BBC has been approached for comment. A PSNI spokesperson said: 'Police have received reports regarding offensive signage placed on a bonfire in the Highfield area and in the Eastvale area of Dungannon. 'Enquiries into these matters, which are being treated as being motivated by hate, are ongoing.'
Sunday World
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
‘Kill your local Kneecap' – Poster of Irish rap trio attached to bonfire
It comes after sectarian slurs on a west Belfast bonfire were reported to police Signs on a bonfire in the Highfield area of the Shankill. A poster featuring Irish rap trio Kneecap along with a number of sectarian slogans has been attached to an Eleventh Night bonfire in Co Tyrone. The banner, which has a photograph of the west Belfast band as its backdrop has been cable tied to the pallets used to construct the bonfire in the Dungannon area. It features the heading 'Kill your local Kneecap', with a further line stating 'The only good one is a dead one'. In the centre of the poster is the acronym 'KAT', with 'Death to Hamas' and 'Destroy all Irish Republicans' also on the banner. The banner featuring Kneecap on a Co Tyrone banner News in 90 Seconds - July 11th It comes after MP Paul Maskey described similar sectarian displays on a bonfire in west Belfast as 'sickening'. The offensive banners have appeared on a pyre alongside Irish tricolours in the Highfield area of the city, with police confirming the banners are being treated as 'motivated by hate'. The 'KAT' slur has this time been painted onto one of the flags in block capital letters and hung above a sign that reads 'stop the boats'. Another sign with 'ATAT' and 'HYL' painted on it alongside a crosshair target has also been spotted at the site in addition to a sign that warns 'PSNI not welcome in loyalist Highfield'. 'Such open and sickening displays of sectarian and racist hatred have absolutely no place in our society,' said Mr Maskey. "Political unionism must speak out and demand the removal of these offensive materials. 'Real leadership is needed, although it has been sorely lacking in these communities for some time. 'This is clearly a hate crime, and I have reported it to the PSNI.' A PSNI spokesperson said: 'Police have received a report regarding offensive signage placed on a bonfire in the Highfield area. 'Enquiries into this matter, which is being treated as being motivated by hate, are ongoing.'
