Four Irish language signs damaged in Ormeau area since January

Two more street signs featuring the Irish language have been damaged in the Ormeau area of south Belfast.

The dual-language signs with English and Irish were targeted over the weekend in the St Judes Parade and Haypark Avenue areas.

It is the third time in just over three months that the Haypark Avenue sign has been damaged, with the sign completely removed from its posts in the latest incident.

At nearby St Judes Square, the metal sign was cut in half, likely with the use of a power tool.

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Last month the sign in Haypark Avenue was was also cut, with the ends of the sign completely removed, while in January a sign it replaced at the same spot had the lettering scraped off.

Meanwhile, towards the end of last year, four Irish language signs were also damaged in the north of the city.

The ongoing vandalism has prompted a call for a meeting between council officers and police to discuss action on preventing further attacks.

Dual-language signage is becoming more visible in Belfast following a new council policy on triggering consultations and applications from residents.

Belfast City Council has been replacing the damaged signs, which initially cost around £1,000 to install.

Sinn Féin Botanic councillor Conor McKay said he was “disappointed” at the latest vandalism, and said in a social media post he believed it was a “hate crime”.

“I have spoken to the police and relayed our concerns of continued acts of this kind and have asked them to ensure those responsible are brought to account,” he said.

“These signs are placed there at the consent of the community and such senseless acts are an attack on their identity.”

SDLP councillor Gary McKeown told the Irish News: “The Haypark Avenue sign which has been attacked repeatedly was supported by over 88% of residents who responded to the council’s community survey on the matter, and for the sign at St Jude’s Square, which has been destroyed for the first time, the figure was 100%.

“I will be calling for a meeting with the police and council officers to find out what can be done to deter those responsible from doing it again. Aside from the fact that these acts of vandalism are wrong, it is also costing the ratepayer additional money every time they have to be replaced. We will always make sure they are replaced, but I would prefer that they weren’t attacked in the first place.”

A PSNI spokesperson said enquires are continuing and has urged anyone with information to contact them on 101.

Spray paint damage to two dual-language signs featuring Irish was also reported to police in Omagh, Co Tyrone last month.