Justice minister Naomi Long has hit back at claims from a former Stormont minister that anti-paramilitary billboards are “demonising communities” in Belfast
Former finance minister and Belfast lord mayor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir said the billboards erected by the Department of Justice as part of the Executive’s programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime could thwart investment and tourism in areas such as west Belfast.
The new billboards read: “Paramilitary gangs control our communities with violence, intimidation and drug dealing.”
In an editorial published in the Andersonstown News, part owned by Mr Ó Muilleoir, the former minister described the billboards as “odious”.
In a statement to the Irish News, the Justice minister rejected the claims and highlighted the campaign had received support from the four Executive parties.
“These billboards do not demonise communities – what they actually do is give a name to the many ways that paramilitaries exploit vulnerable people in our communities,” Ms Long said.
“These billboards do not demonise communities – what they actually do is give a name to the many ways that paramilitaries exploit vulnerable people in our communities.
“This is not about targeting a specific community; the billboards feature right across Northern Ireland, in all communities.
“Tackling paramilitarism is a complex issue that requires a complex range of solutions. Public awareness campaigns are just one part of the approach, and they complement the broad range of interventions that are supported under the wider Programme.
“It is important that we expose and challenge the true nature of paramilitary coercion and control so it cannot hide in plain sight.”
In September 2024, the Executive’s EPPOC programme was extended until March 2027, with Stormont and the UK government providing £8million each towards it in the next financial year, wth funding yet to be confirmed for the following year.
The political advisory group to the programme comprises representatives from the four Executive parties, including Mr Ó Muilleoir’s former party Sinn Féin.
“No matter how often the Justice department plasters west Belfast with posters saying otherwise, paramilitary gangs do not control our communities,” Mr Ó Muilleoir wrote.
“Paramilitary gangs exist, of course. Indeed, there are criminals in every community in these islands. “There are also criminals in BT9 making a lot more illegal money, if dressed in a rather different way.
“Yet, while BT11 (Andersonstown), BT5 (Short Strand) and BT14 (Ardoyne) all have the dubious pleasure of being insulted in their own backyard by these advertising hoardings, these massive, portentous billboards – surprise, surprise – don’t go up on the Malone Road.”
