There's A Bit Of A Local Kerfuffle About Murals And Flags Along The Proposed Route Of ...

[sandyRoe]

...the Giro d'Italia cycle race in Belfast. What's the betting that news crews will try and get this example in the background as the cyclists wizz past?

http://www.ifimages.com/photos/e1SNFOsBKbJAiqPrTbj4SH918OA/author-582/Loyalist-murals-Newtownards-Road-East.jpg

[dunnitall]

Does it matter? Really matter?

[Baldric]

Are you promoting it yourself sandy, just out of interest?

[sandyRoe]

No, not in the wider scheme of things. But here such things can lead to disorder and violent rioting.

[sandyRoe]

Flags and marches cause trouble here. If I had my way I'd ban them all.

[Psybbo]

Sandy, the news crews will always make the most of it

[tonyav]

Any idea how long that mural as been there ?, I'll bet years.

[dunnitall]

Afaic, it's religion that divides NI, no more no less. Eradicate it and all will be healed, but the Protestants seem not able to or that is my take on it. What a shame, Ireland belongs to Ireland IMO not the British....or is that another story?

[Baldric]

Just for info,
The UDA used the name UFF to claim responsibility for attacks and, because the two claimed to be separate organisations, the UDA was able to remain legal for over twenty years. The U K outlawed the "UFF" in November 1973 and the UDA itself was classified as a terrorist group on 10 August 1992

[Old_Jim]

I'm sure it's not beyond the wit of TV technicians to make the gable ends of houses appear as advertisements (ITV) or pictures of Riz Lateef.

[Old_Jim]

And much as I'd hate to insult dunitall's fundamentalist religion-bashing beliefs, the divisions in Northern Ireland are tribal, not religious. If the Gaels all suddenly adopted atheism, the Galls would convert to any religion that could serve as an excuse to throw bombs at them. Northern Ireland is a place where religion is paraded on the streets but Christianity is at a premium.

[sandyRoe]

Tonyav, that one hasn't been there as long as you might think. That area is 'controlled' by the UVF. A few years ago they decided to show a more peacable face and painted over the warlike murals with ones showing the Titanic, Shipyard scenes, and local footballers.
A new leader, a man called Stephen Mitchell, took over a year or so back and he ordered the more belligerent ones be put back up.

[Psybbo]

That's sad, we're going backwards

[tonyav]

Right, thanks sandy, things aren't always as they seem are they.