AN anti-Irish language sign placed outside a local primary school has been branded “racist and intimidatory” by South Down’s MP.
Chris Hazzard (Sinn Féin) has called for anyone with information on the banner placed in The Square in Clough – which states ‘Keep Irish out of our kids’ classrooms’ before naming two schools – to contact the PSNI, who are treating its placement as a sectarian hate crime. “It’s totally disgraceful that a sign attacking children learning the Irish language has been placed outside a local school in Clough,” said the MP. “There is no place in our society for racist threats, and this sign is a clear attempt to intimidate schoolchildren. “It’s particularly sinister and worrying that this sign has named a local school. “Those responsible should stop now. “I would urge anyone with information on this sign to bring it forward to the police.”
The PSNI confirmed that they are investigating a report of ‘criminal damage being caused to a sign outside a school in The Square, Clough’. ‘It was reported to police at around 9.30am on Monday January 30 that damage had been caused to a sign outside the premises,’ a statement read. ‘Enquiries are ongoing and police would appeal to anyone with any information in relation to the incident, which we are treating as a sectarian hate crime, to contact 101 quoting reference number 393 of 30/01/23.’
A report can also be made using the online reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makear eport, and information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously at ” www.crimestoppers-uk.org or on 0800 555 111.