‘Thugs’ behind racist and sectarian graffiti in Fountain roundly condemned by Derry councillors

Vandals daubed ‘locals only’, ‘KAT [kill all taigs]’ and the crosshairs of a rifle sight on a house in Henry Street on Tuesday.

Activists from United Against Racism – Derry attended and removed the graffiti.

UAR described the vandalism as the ‘sickening and shameful actions’ of a ‘few thugs’.

At the Council’s October meeting People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin said: “This was obviously designed to terrify the inhabitants of the house but also to terrify people, who, in the eyes of the people carrying this out, the thugs who carried this out, are ‘people who don't belong, and people who don't have equal rights’.

"I do question as well the timing of this because it is Hallowe'en week where the eyes of the world are very much on Derry city and we don't often see this type of activity. It's not the first time we have seen it but it is not a constant. So for it to happen right now is disgraceful.”

Colr. Harkin contrasted the attack with the Black History Month celebrations of the contribution of black people to society in Derry and beyond.

The Mayor, Colr. Grace Uí Niallais said this was exemplified by the recent Nigeria Day celebrations.

"It was another reason for me to feel very proud of here because they chose here because of how safe they feel and how integrated they feel into the community and how much they feel the Derry people remind them of the Nigerian people,” she said.

SDLP Colr. Catherine McDaid was among the activists who removed the graffiti.

"There is no place for it and I think that by people going and removing it very quickly and quietly just shows we are always on our toes and will continue to do that as an anti-racist movement. We don't need to be giving it any air time. We just need to make sure that people do not feel comfortable and think that it is OK to be doing these things because we are a welcoming city,” she said.

Colr. McDaid said the Nigeria Day event ‘looked amazing’ but noted how a council Facebook post attracted racist comment.

“If you looked at any of the comments they were horrible. They were disgusting. I think it again raises its heads that that online, right wing approach is always there,” she said.

Independent councillor Gary Donnelly said: “There are campaigns to create the scenario where people go out and attack people because of the colour of their skin. We've seen the horrible situation in Ballymena and we've seen the report after that where there have been dozens of empty chairs in schools.”

UUP Alderman Darren Guy maintained: “Disgraceful is the only way to describe it and this is the second time that this has happened in a few months in that area.”

DUP Alderman Niree McMorris said: “It is absolutely disgusting.”

Sinn Féin’s Christopher Jackson observed: "It is not unique to any part of our city. I know in the Waterside there have been various instances where racist graffiti has been sprayed on walls targeting families and on every single occasion that I am aware of it is removed immediately.”