Report Paul Murphy
The proliferation of Tricolour flags on poles around Navan was the subject of debate at today’s meeting of Navan Municipal District with concerns being raised about the influence of the far right in the issue. Aontu Cllr Emer Toibin asked what approach the county council was taking on the issue and it it intended to take any action. For some people the proliferation of flag causing was causing “considerable unease”. Some people were happy about having them up there and there was certainly a cross-section of viewpoints on the subject. She just wondered what approach the council was taking.
The Mayor Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons said he had raised the issue at Ministerial level but the Minister had referred the matter back to local councils.
Independent Cllr Alan Lawes said he felt that this was space given to the far right. “They want a reaction, they want a reaction from the likes of us. They can be considered patriots but they are not – they are racists and bigots. They are hijacking the Irish flag. For me the Irish flag stands for peace, unity and respect. I think we need to put out a message that these flags can be very intimidating when they are put up around schools. People from the migrant community feel very intimidated by them”.
The Tricolour gives us all our identity and pride. It is a respected around the world and fly’s along with other flags in Ireland with respect to all nations large or small.
He said every councillors in the council chamber was very proud of the flag. “Maybe we should put up welcome signs around them. We own the flag as a symbol of unity and peace”. The people who put these flags up had no relevance to Navan, they don’t do any work in the town, he said. The Mayor said the placing of so many flags in public places was very divisive.
Navan MD manager Martin Murray said the council did not have a specific policy regarding the display of flags in public places and it was not going to intervene in removing them at this time.
*Official guidance for the flying of the Tricolour states that the flag should only be raised between dawn and dusk unless illuminated at night. It should never be allowed to touch the ground when raised or lowered. The flag should be treated with respect, never allowed to touch the ground and flown with correct dimensions, with a literal orange hue rather than yellow.
