Letterboxes stir up discontent in Northern Ireland

Letterboxes are currently being repainted in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

Some letterboxes in the Clogher Valley area had been painted green in an attempt to stir up sectarian violence in the mainly Unionist area. Now they are having to be repainted to restore their original colour.

According to The Belfast Telegraph, the Royal Mail has not had any confirmation of letterboxes being painted green on this occasion however there have been occurrences of this happening over the past few months.

In response to the mail boxes being painted green, the corporation now has to oversee a repainting process.

Speaking to the paper, a spokesperson said: “ Repairs to letterboxes, which includes repainting, is carried out as soon as possible as part of our ongoing maintenance programme.”

This act has been condemned by DUP MLA for the area, Lord Morrow who also confirmed that road signs had also been vandalised with green paint.

He suggested that these actions of “sectarian vandalism” with a “hooligan element” would stir up more resentment in the local community. He also believes it would deepen tensions between Nationalist and Unionist groups living in Northern Ireland.

He told The Belfast Telegraph: “ Postboxes have been painted by a hooligan element, undoubtedly supported by Sinn Fein.

“This type of anti-social behaviour does nothing to enhance the natural aesthetic of this rural community.”

In a recent letter to The Belfast Telegraph, Les Reid from the Belfast Humanist Group suggested that the country needed to focus on educating children from different backgrounds and religions to prevent future violence and sectarianism in Northern Ireland. He claims this would be a great way to prevent segregation in local communities.

The boxes are currently being restored and should be back to their original colours within the next few days.

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