Council workers threatened while putting up Irish language signs in playpark

Workers erecting dual language signs at a children’s playpark in Co Tyrone were forced out of the area after they were threatened.

The Mid Ulster and District Council workers were approached while putting up signs at Monrush play park in Cookstown.

The issue was raised at a meeting of the council on April 24 by Sinn Féin representative John McNamee, who condemned the threats.

“These guys had gone to the park to put up the signs and were basically approached by a couple of individuals who told them they had to leave, and they did

“They were threatened, and the council had to report it to the police,” he said.

“No council member should be threatened during their daily job.”

Mr McNamee said that there is an ongoing campaign against Irish language signage in Mid Ulster.

“It’s happened at different times — the signs are replaced, and they’re done again and again. People are coming at night and spraying them or painting over them,” he said.

“They need to stop it. It’s costing thousands of pounds of ratepayers’ money.

“The Irish language doesn’t threaten anyone. It should be for everyone to use. In fact, the unionist community kept the Irish language going in the 1700s.”

Asked who he thought was behind the campaign, he said it was unclear.

“It’s really hard to know — is it just loyalists? Is it a particular group? Or just a group of individuals? It’s really hard to say.

“But when the leaders of unionism aren’t calling it out and saying it’s wrong, it sounds like they’re doing nothing,” he said.

Under the current policy, residents can request dual language road signs, and if there is a 50% +1 majority in favour, the signs are erected.

The PSNI has said that they received a report following the incident in Cookstown, but that they have insufficient information to act further.

“Police received a report regarding alleged intimidating behaviour in the Millburn Close area of Cookstown at around 3.45pm on Wednesday, 9th April. The report related to an incident which occurred on Wednesday, 26th March,” a PSNI spokesperson said.

“Officers engaged with the reporting person, and following initial enquiries, there was insufficient information available to progress the matter further.”

Mid Ulster District Council has been contacted for comment.