Vandalism of dual-language sign near Omagh being treated as sectarian hate crime

GRAFFITI damage to a dual-language street sign near Omagh is being treated as a sectarian hate crime.

Police appealed for information after the Irish translation on the Radergan Road sign in Beragh was damaged on Thursday.

Sinn Féin councillor Patrick Withers said the recent vandalism and threats to council workers installing them was “unacceptable”.

“These signs threaten no one, are a reflection of the growing demand for greater visibility of the Irish language and will be replaced,” he said.

Neighbourhood Inspector Beatty commented: “This is just one of a number of reports that dual language signs in the Moylagh and Radergan road areas have been damaged in the last fortnight .

“We are investigating this as a sectarian hate crime and are appealing to anyone who may have any information or anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with enquiries to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 795 (February 15).”

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A spokesperson for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council condemned recent reports of anti-social behaviour and vandalism related to dual language signs on the Radergan Road.

“Vandalism and anti-social behaviour divert Council resources which could be used to benefit the wider community,” they said.

“The Council would encourage anyone who witnesses, or has any information pertaining to, this or any act of vandalism on Council property to report it to the PSNI.”

Similar incidents have been reported in Belfast in recent weeks, including one example on Haypark Avenue on the Ormeau Road where the ends of a metal street sign were cut off.

Last summer, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council voted to approve £150,000 of ring-fenced funding for dual language road signs despite objections from unionist councillors.

In June, the UUP councillor Victor Warrington said that while he condemned any vandalism of street signs and was not against the Irish language, he believed spending the money on dual-language signs “which a lot of people don’t want, is purely, in our opinion, a waste of money.”

The SDLP councillor Adam Gannon countered at the time that the dual language policy had been a success, and that council policy allowed community surveys to determine if street signs were wanted.

In Belfast City Council, dual-language signs are increasing thanks to a policy that allows a resident or councillor to trigger a consultation.

New signs will be erected if 15% of residents agree, with non-responses no longer counted as votes against it.

Previously, a third of the residents on a street (33.3%) was required, with a 66.6% consensus before a sign was erected.

Following an equality assessment for each application, the cost of a new sign is estimated to be around £1,000.