A MAN is to face court in the New Year charged over this window display in Derry.
The display went up at the offices of dissident republican group Saoradh in the city showing a snowman holding a rocket launcher with the message: Wishing you an explosive Christmas.
In a statement this evening, the PSNI said: “Officers Police investigating an incident involving a window display in the Chamberlain Street area of Derry/Londonderry in October have charged a 29 year old man with two counts of permitting display of anything provocative.
“He is due to appear at Derry Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, January 3.
“As is normal procedure all charges are reviewed by the PPS.”
The image appeared 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.
The image was later removed following complaints.
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.
At the time, 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”.