A council has passed a motion condemning a “sinister” anti-Irish banner left outside a school despite a DUP councillor saying those responsible have “every right to their opinion”.
The poster, put up outside Cumran Primary School in Clough, Co Down last week, read: “Keep Irish out of our kids classrooms. St Malachy’s not welcome at CPS. Signed, parents!”. The PSNI has said they are treating the incident as a sectarian hate crime.
During an emergency motion at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) on Monday evening Slieve Croob Sinn Fein councillor Jim Brennan faced some unionist opposition to his motion.
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Cllr Brennan’s motion read: “This council condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent erection of intimidatory and anti-Irish signage outside a school in the village of Clough.
“Council recognises that this was a clear attempt to threaten and intimidate school children and their families and is the latest in an ongoing campaign by some individuals to mark out territory and intimidate both people living in and travelling through the area.
“Council acknowledges that the naming and targeting of a school in this instance was particularly sinister, and calls on anyone with any information on those responsible for these actions to come forward and assist police with their enquiries immediately.”
He added: “This was a blatant incident of Anti-Irish racism. Those responsible, despicably, took aim at school children and their families, sinisterly naming a school and attempting to intimidate. Such naked displays of hate have no place in the tolerant and inclusive Ireland many of us are working hard to build.
“It’s about time we said enough is enough and I am delighted that we have been given the opportunity to bring this motion, to give us the chance to collectively condemn this incident. As representatives and leaders in our communities we have a duty to stand against this type of racist behaviour and show leadership.
“Shared education is a valued and respected part of our education system and there are examples all across the north of the success that these projects can bring to wider school communities, furthering respect, teaching tolerance and building greater understanding.
“The fact that any school would be singled out and targeted in an incident like this is shocking and a throwback to darker days and while some might like to take us back to those darker days, they won’t succeed. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse society based on equal rights and equal opportunities for all.
“I would also like to say that incidents like this are a clear indication that laws to tackle hate crimes and sectarianism must be strengthened so those responsible can be properly held to account under the law. Go raibh maith agaibh.”
DUP councillor Alan Lewis, who declared an interest as being on the board of governors of Cumran PS, stated his disappointment that no one at the school had been “consulted” on the emergency motion being presented to the council.
Mournes DUP councillor, Glyn Hanna argued that people behind the sign had a right to express themselves.
He said: “I don’t believe that this motion should be brought forward to this council, it is waste of ratepayers' money. Children should not be exposed to any sort of anything like this.
“I do not believe the word sinister should be used in the motion as it suggests some form of intent behind it. I don’t know who did it, but the people who put up this sign have every right to their opinion. Though, I don’t know what goes through their heads. The incident was regrettable.”
Chairperson of NMDDC, Michael Savage added: “I have huge respect for these schools. Some of the school children are way above our politicians, some are light years ahead.
“When you don’t respect difference it leads to hate. The people who did this, they have no respect for themselves, never mind anyone else.”
The motion was carried by a majority.
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