A portrait of former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) lord mayor Lord Wallace Browne has been damaged at Belfast City Hall, prompting calls for accountability and investigation. The incident, which occurred during the weekend, involved the removal and smashing of the portrait's glass.
A Sinn Féin employee has resigned after admitting to being involved in this controversial event. Following the incident, this individual was suspended from their role, with the party confirming the matter has been reported to the police.
Green Party Irish senator Mal O'Hara expressed the need for clarity, stating, "People need to know who did what, who was involved, [and] who observed". He called for transparency from Sinn Féin, urging them to address the situation openly.
O'Hara expressed disappointment over the vandalism, emphasizing the historical significance of the portrait: "Disagree with someone's politics, but it is an historical record... it should be respected". This incident unfolded during the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Irish language group Glór na Móna, to which the organization responded with dismay, offering to assist the council with the inquiry.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson took to social media, condemning the act. He remarked, "We don't know if the motivation was sectarian bigotry, antisemitism, wanton destruction or a heady mix of the three... but [it's] a disgrace." DUP councillor Dean McCullough stated he heard the portrait was forcibly removed from the wall, noting the physicality involved, especially as the portrait's size would have made it challenging to take it down.
McCullough's concerns mirrored those of Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) councillor Ron McDowell, who labeled the act as "an absolute disgrace". McDowell mentioned he initially hoped the incident was “an accident”, but described his subsequent discoveries as indicating malice. He demanded police action, citing the need for accountability concerning the “criminal damage” inflicted upon the portrait.
The atmosphere was undeniably tense, as councillor Jim Rodgers echoed similar sentiments of disappointment. After serving as an Ulster Unionist Party councillor for 31 years, Rodgers reflected on the rarity of such vandalism: "I don’t recall a portrait ever being defaced... I hope it's the last." Alarmingly, he claimed he was certain the act was driven by sectarian motives, fueling discord among the community.
Meanwhile, Alliance Party councillor Michael Long emphasized the importance of City Hall as shared space for all of Belfast's citizens. He condemned the displayed behavior as "totally unacceptable", advocating for thorough investigations to prevent such instances from recurring. Carl Whyte of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) referred to the incident as vandalism, insisting on the wrongness of damaging someone else's property.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed they received reports of criminal damage at around 4:50 PM BST on the following Monday. They have appealed for anyone with information to come forward, amplifying the urgency surrounding this troubling event.
The portrait incident was not happening in isolation. Just days before, another portrait of former Belfast Lord Mayor Niall Ó Donnghaile was removed from the same venue. This decision was taken unanimously by party leaders on the council, following revelations about Ó Donnghaile's resignation from Sinn Féin after sending inappropriate texts to a teenager. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald stated there were no illegal findings or criminal charges related to Ó Donnghaile's conduct, but the fallout from this public scandal continues, necessitating substantial apologies from the party.
The consequences appear interconnected, as McCullough queried if the damage to Browne's portrait was linked to Ó Donnghaile's removal. Drawing attention to its cultural resonance, he noted the artist behind Lord Browne’s painting, Israel Zohar, is well-respected for his work, complicate matters even more.
The damage occurred during the very celebration—of Irish language advocacy—where many senior Sinn Féin figures were present, including former party leader Gerry Adams. Though Glór na Móna distanced themselves from the act, advocating respect for all communities, the event's hostile overshadowing looms large, indicating deep-seated issues within community relations.
With various parties urging for investigations, community leaders see this vandalism as not merely about one portrait but reflective of broader relations between rival factions. Many express hope for reconciliation, emphasizing respect for historical components embodied by the artwork, irrespective of different political perspectives.
This incident serves as yet another reminder of Northern Ireland's complex and often strained political atmosphere, underscoring the importance of mutual respect among parties to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
Given the current situation and the reactions across political lines, the aftermath of this incident seems set to persist and prompt discussions on community unity and respect across differing beliefs.
