POLITICIANS have condemned racially-motivated graffiti in Lisburn, with police charging a man in relation to the matter.
The PSNI said on Friday there had been several reports of such graffiti in a number of locations in the city.
Local SDLP councillor Pat Catney branded it ‘disgraceful’, while Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood said it was not representative of people in the area.
The graffiti, which was aimed at members of the Muslim community, has since been removed.
‘Reject division and bigotry’
Mr Catney, who represents Lisburn North, described the appearance of the graffiti as ‘chilling’.
“Disgraceful graffiti around Chapel Hill inciting violence against our Muslim residents. It has no place in modern Lisburn,” he wrote on social media.
“So many people from across all faiths and backgrounds are working hard to lift this city up and bring everyone together and this goes completely against all of that work.
“Anyone inciting violence like this is to condemned.
“I have already contacted the PSNI in relation to the chilling appearance of these messages and I am working with council officials to get them removed.
“It is up to all of us to come together to reject division and bigotry in whatever form it takes.”
Lagan Valley MP Ms Eastwood described the graffiti as ‘appalling’.
“Our town is full of good, decent people who respect and cherish each other — we are not people driven by hate and fear, but by love, something those who wrote this graffiti need to read up on,” she posted.
“They clearly are not representative of our town.”
Charged
In a statement, the PSNI confirmed a man had been charged and is due to appear in court.
“Police investigating racially-motivated graffiti at a number of locations in Lisburn, following several reports of graffiti in the city on Friday, October 3, have charged a man to court,” read a statement.
“The 45-year-old is charged with seven counts of criminal damage and one charge of displaying written material to stir up hatred or arouse fear.
“He is due to appear before Lisburn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, October 30.”