DISSIDENT republicans have removed an image of a snowman armed with a rocket launcher and the message ‘Wishing you an explosive Christmas’ from the window of their Derry headquarters.
The image appeared last week in the window of Junior McDaid House, where the Irish Republican Prisoners’ Welfare Association, dissident republican party Saoradh, and the youth group Eistigi Doire are based.
Derry PSNI commander Supt Gordon McCalmont said police were investigating the window display.
In a statement on social media, Junior McDaid House said the painting was “dark humour” and had been created to show that “political censorship is alive and well”.
It added: “Junior McDaid House are glad to say Mr Frosty has done his job. Our window display will now reflect the ongoing maltreatment of Irish republican political prisoners.”
The premises on Chamberlain Street are named after IRA member James ‘Junior’ McDaid, who was shot dead by the British Army in 1972.
DUP councillor Drew Thompson said the painting had sent out “a message to everyone, not just unionists, that there are those within the city intent on causing destruction over the festive period”.
He had notified police in Strand Road about the display. Superintendent Gordon McCalmont had said the PSNI recognised “the hurt and offence caused by this window display. We are currently investigating and assessing the matter”.
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