Belfast rioting over removal of Union Jack

[Onion Bag]

I was going through ballygawley yesterday evening and there were about 6 lads puttin up new flags with 2 car loads of watchers and a police car protectiong them while they done it. Its gona be a long summer.

This place is pretty depressing,

[tommysmith]

Is this likely to affect the Fleadh in Derry in August?

[LeoMc]

I was going through ballygawley yesterday evening and there were about 6 lads puttin up new flags with 2 car loads of watchers and a police car protectiong them while they done it. Its gona be a long summer.

This place is pretty depressing,

Thats a bit harsh.

[trasna man]

Is this likely to affect the Fleadh in Derry in August?

Don't think so. The police here are very heavy handed, well that's what the protesters claimed, while trying to block the sons and daughters concert.

[Fuzzman]

I was going through ballygawley yesterday evening and there were about 6 lads puttin up new flags with 2 car loads of watchers and a police car protectiong them while they done it. Its gona be a long summer.

How does that work then?
Do they go tell the cops first and that they need some protection?

Do Catholics get such protection putting up tricolours?
Can you be arrested for taking down a union jack?

[NAG1]

I was going through ballygawley yesterday evening and there were about 6 lads puttin up new flags with 2 car loads of watchers and a police car protectiong them while they done it. Its gona be a long summer.

How does that work then?
Do they go tell the cops first and that they need some protection?

Do Catholics get such protection putting up tricolours?
Can you be arrested for taking down a union jack?

why would any 'Catholic'/ Nationalist/ Republican be mimicking these eejits, any one climbing a lamp post to put a flag up of any description deserves to run the risks of a good hiding!

[qubdub]

The tamnamore roundabout always gets a good few flags hung up on it. Must be some important aspect of Britishness attached there that we all seem to be missing.

Police protecting people putting flags up is a common enough occurrence I thought?

[imtommygunn]

The flag flying I would always have viewed as being a very insecure thing. If you were secure in your britishness or your irishness then I don't see why you need to fly a flag to show it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21502730

Poor Jamie seems very paranoid and defensive here.

[omagh_gael]

Shaping up to be a contentious summer.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21547032

[Jeepers Creepers]

Would they parade through contentious areas without police protection?

[ziggysego]

Stop press: Jim Allister introduces controversy into Antarctica story. Points out it flies the flag and not just on designated days #thinice

Gareth Gordon ‏@BBCGarethG

[theskull1]

Seen that Belfast City Council will hold 4 days of festivities to celebrate St Patricks day

There wont be any issues made of that I'm sure ...... apart from the rioting (beyond the Holylands that is)

[Orior]

Stop press: Jim Allister introduces controversy into Antarctica story. Points out it flies the flag and not just on designated days #thinice

Gareth Gordon ‏@BBCGarethG

Antartica? If he is talking about thin ice then it should really be the North, not the South. The issues are always with the North.

Gareth should know better.

[Applesisapples]

Ahh you thick paddies, do you not know that the British invent the lamp post! As a result it is an important aspect of British Culture to decorate these with union flags.

[ziggysego]

Breaking: Jamie Bryson and Willie Fraser have been arrested and are being questioned about organising and participating in unlawful parades.