New banners related to Irish language school in east Belfast ‘sectarian hate incident’, say police

Police say they are treating the erection of banners in east Belfast related to a proposed new Irish language school as a “sectarian hate incident”.

The signs read: “No consultation no engagement no respect for our community” and “Local site should meet the local needs our community voice matters”.

They were placed in the Castlereagh Road and Clonduff Drive areas over the weekend.

It comes just days after another banner was placed at the site of the planned Irish language primary school, Scoil na Seolta, on Montogomery Road.

The sign - which was later removed - stated: “Relocate Irish school to where it is needed; relocate Irish school to where it is wanted”.

The school is set to open later this year, but has been opposed by some in the area.

Concerns about the school were raised earlier this year at a meeting of the ‘Clonduff Concerned Residents’ group.