Irish-English language street sign ripped out of tarmac base

An Irish-English language street sign embedded in a south Belfast road has been ripped out of its tarmac base and dragged on to the road.

A vehicle was likely used to pull the sign at Grangeville Gardens out of its pavement base off the Finaghy Road North. Belfast City Council policy is to encase the legs of the signs in concrete to a depth of about 25 inches.

Irish language commissioner Pól Deeds said if this “vandalism continues, I will seek a meeting with the PSNI to ask how they plan to deal with this kind of crime that targets one of our minority language communities”.

He added: “In the meantime, I will continue to encourage constructive dialogue and mutual respect in all discussions around minority language protections.

The sign, on a street close to the Devenish complex but also to the junction of Upper Lisburn Road, was erected in 2024 following a survey of residents.

• A total of 51, or just over 36%, were in favour, and 21 were against with one reference and the other residents not voting. On Thursday the sign had been lifted and returned to an upright position.

Mr Deeds said: “I am concerned by reports of the vandalising of bilingual signage in Belfast.

“Visibility of the Irish language in public life is an important part of recognising and respecting the linguistic heritage of Northern Ireland.

“Attempts to associate dual language signage with political events or comparisons with other identity-related issues such as flags, emblems or parades are inaccurate and misleading.

“Those issues are dealt with separately in law and are different from measures aimed at protecting a minority language.”

Union flags were erected on Kimberley Street in south Belfast earlier this week with residents told it was in response to the erection of dual language signs on the streets . The street is in the Ormeau Road area where an agreement around the flying of union flags is supposed to be in place.

Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, president of Conradh na Gaeilge, said the “incident involving the removal of a dual-language street sign…is incredibly concerning and appears to be part of a coordinated pattern of intimidatory acts targeting dual language signage”.

“It appears to have been removed with significant force, potentially with the use of machinery or a vehicle,” Mr Mac Giolla Bhéin said, adding residents of the street .

“We understand formal complaints have been made to the police and that an investigation is underway. People have the right to live free from sectarianism, intimidation and fear.”