English-Irish street signage vandalism is condemned

Councillor John McNamee has condemned recent criminal damage targeting English-Irish street signs in Cookstown and Coagh.

Speaking at the July 8 Environment committee meeting of Mid Ulster District Council, the Sinn Féin representative for Cookstown DEA said: “I would like to highlight and condemn criminal damage to dual-language road signs on both Killymoon Street in Cookstown, and in Coagh as you turn out to Ballinderry. That’s the one that’s being attacked all the time.

“I want to thank council officers for sorting the Killymoon sign out.”

The SF representative went on to refer to the arrest of a man back in November 2025, as part of an investigation into damage to signage in the Coagh area.

He said: “I want to ask whether the Council has received any correspondence in relation to the arrest that was made last year, as to whether the legal process has concluded or not.”

Head of Property Services, Terry Scullion explained that an update would be sought on the matter.

Committee chair, Councillor Gavin Bell (SF, Cookstown DEA) subsequently issued a statement condemning a petition which is apparently circulating in the Coagh area.

He stated: “I have been made aware that a group of loyalists have been targeting residents in Coagh.  They are trying to [allegedly] force them to sign a petition to request the removal of the dual-language sign at Ballinderry Bridge Road.

“Firstly, I want to condemn any such attempts of [alleged] intimidation of any resident living in the village. This will not succeed.

“The vast majority of people living in Coagh want to live side by side in peace, regardless of their backgrounds, political opinions, faith or none.

“Regarding the dual language signage, it was a democratic decision to have the sign installed via Mid-Ulster District Council’s Dual Language Policy, agreed and ratified at full council.

“A petition for its removal will be futile and a waste of time.  There is a policy in place and this must be adhered to.”

Councillor Clement Cuthbertson (DUP, Dungannon DEA) pointed out that ‘English-only’ street signs were also being targeted by vandals.

He commented at the meeting: “I think it’s worth noting as well that the Bush Road sign was vandalised. It was stolen at the junction of Killyman Road [in Dungannon].

“The council thankfully replaced that, but since then the Bush Road sign at the crossroads in The Bush was broken off and taken as well.

“I have it reported and the Council is in the process of replacing that, if they haven’t already. This is not only dual-language signage that is being vandalised and targeted, so I think that’s worth noting.”