PSNI to liaise with the department over border sign “Welcome to Northern Ireland” peppered with bullet holes
Posted By: December 07, 2017
John Monaghan. Irish News. Belfast. Thursday, December 7, 2017
SIGN OF THE TIMES: A “Welcome to Northern Ireland” sign covered in bullet holes on the border crossing between Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, and Derrylin, Co Fermanagh Picture: Mal McCann
The PSNI has said it will liaise with the Department of Infrastructure about a sign welcoming people to Northern Ireland which has been peppered with bullet holes.
The damaged sign marks the border crossing between Ballyconnell in Co Cavan and Derrylin in Co Fermanagh.
It remains unclear when the damage was caused, but signs formally welcoming people to the north have been in place for just over five years.
At another crossing connecting Bridgend in Co Donegal with Co Derry, the word “Northern” has been painted over.
In 2012, then regional development minister Danny Kennedy announced the introduction of the signs at locations across the border.
However, within days, some were reported damaged or missing.
Faced with criticism from Sinn Féin, who accused the UUP minister of “marking out territory,” Mr. Kennedy said at the time that the signs were “entirely for information purposes” and added that there was “no great constitutional drama.”
He said: “They’re welcoming visitors, particularly the many tourists who cross the border to Northern Ireland and to remind them that speeds are measured in miles per hour, rather than the European measure of kilometers.”
Ulster Unionist councilor in Fermanagh, Alex Baird, said he was not aware of when the damage was caused.
“If this is a recent development, it is a worrying development for the law-abiding people of the area,” he said.
A police spokesman said: “Police are aware of the criminal damage caused to a road sign close to the border near Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, and will liaise with the Department for Infrastructure about the matter.”
The Department of Infrastructure did not respond to a request for comment.
