First Minister Michelle O’Neill has condemned those responsible for painting crosshairs and threatening graffiti at the workplace of a Sinn Féin councillor from the Garvaghy Road, warning that “dehumanising” language around the Drumcree parade is putting people in real danger.
Standing beside Portadown councillor Paul Duffy at Stormont, Ms O’Neill said her party colleague had arrived at work on Monday to find graffiti “spread all around his workplace” and a “target sign painted” – which she directly linked to the tone of recent political commentary about residents in the area.
“Jim Allister [TUV MLA] speaking about sanitising the people of the Garvaghy Road. The DUP speaking about a mob on the Garvaghy Road. That language is really dehumanising in the first instance, but it’s also dangerous,” she said.
“This is Councillor Paul Duffy. Paul represents the Garvaghy Road. Paul is from the Garvaghy Road. He has stood firm with his neighbours over the course of recent weeks.
“This is a man who went to his work this morning and is very much being targeted. Graffiti spread all around his workplace. A target sign painted. That’s why that language matters.
“We can’t have days where people are afraid to go to their workplace. That is absolutely disgraceful, and I think that those people who are involved in the dangerous language need to really give their heads a shake.”
Cllr Paul Duffy
