Bilingual street sign defaced in south Belfast

A bilingual sign on a south Belfast street has been defaced for the second time in the space of three months.

Red paint was daubed over the Irish translation of Cranmore Gardens, just off the Lisburn Road.

The sign was also vandalised back in April, just weeks after council approval.

At that time, the police were describing it as “a sectarian hate crime”

The Lord Mayor of Belfast and councillor Micky Murray shared his disappointment of the attack on X, formerly known as Twitter.

He also made attempts to clean the graffiti before referring it to the council.

George Rodgers lives in the area and describes himself as coming from a nationalist background.

He said: "Why do they not put it up in Ulster Scots, then that would be three languages that could perhaps refrain people from damaging it.

“Here in the community we respect everyone.”

Lauren Elizabeth, who owns a local bridal shop, says she feels we live in a time where “everyone needs represented”.

“It shocks me, why can you not have both English and Irish on a sign,” she told BBC News NI.

“I do not see the point, this does not reflect any of the local business owners, we are mixed in our cliental. We like to be very inclusive in this area.”

An Irish speaker from the Republic of Ireland now living in the area, Niall Walsh, said he sits on the fence when it comes to bilingual signage.

"There is a difference on whether or not this should be up, but damaging this sign is a criminal offence.

“I am from the South and everywhere we have dual signs, it is normal, but if people do not agree they should vote to not have it up, this could be off the back of the marches and the time of year.”

Vincent Hurson, who was a teacher at a local school, described the defacing as “disgusting behaviour”.

“They have actually not just damaged the sign they have damaged the leaves and the vegetation surrounding it. It is just absolutely scandalous.”

Mr Hurson feels there has never been any animosity between locals in the area.

“Maybe this is done by someone who is opposed to the dual sign but I have not known this area to be a great local community,” he said.

‘Drain on ratepayer money’

Claire Hanna, MP for South Belfast said: “This is a live and let live part of the world, with increasing numbers of people interested in the Irish language and the meaning of place names.”

“The signs were put up in line with agreed council policy and defacing them is intolerant, unsightly and a drain on ratepayer money.”

In 2022, after an 18-month delay, councillors agreed to implement a new policy on dual-language street signs.

Sinn Féin, Alliance, SDLP, the Green Party, and People Before Profit support it, while the unionist parties - DUP, UUP, PUP - oppose the policy.

Under new rules, one resident or councillor can trigger a consultation for a second nameplate, with 15% support needed for erection.

Previously, 33.3% of the electorate had to petition, and 66.6% had to agree, for the installation of a dual-language sign.

The dual language street signs on Cranmore Gardens, which feature the street’s name in English and Irish, were approved in February.

This consultation of 124 local residents reflected a 50-50 split.