In a flutter over flags…

THE PSNI have now been issued with guidelines on how to deal with the flying of paramilitary flags. My understanding is that after the successful prosecution of a number of men in Holywood – eight in total, although only the four jailed were reported – an ‘idiot’s guide’ to prosecutions for flying paramilitary flags was produced by the North Down DCU, who have shown the most leadership on the matter.

Although not all District Commanders are as keen to rock the boat. It looks like the guide has had a major influence, and is leading to an urban regional policy. The PSNI under Hugh Orde is taking the flags issue seriously at last – and doing something about it.

That’s not to say it will be plain sailing. There are loopholes in the Terrorism Act, which was used to prosecute the Holywood case. Loyalist paramilitaries, while concerned about the use of the legislation (ie they don’t fancy getting jailed for putting up a flag), are believed to be looking at new flag designs they think can get around the legal flaws.

I believe the PSNI guidelines start by recommending a ‘community impact assessment’, to be carried out by Sector Inspectors after complaints about flags are received. If the impact is negative, the next stage of the three-part plan is negotiation (presumably with paramilitaries), followed by enforcement of the law.

It is highly unlikely the PSNI will mount a purge of flags supporting terrorist groups. It’s more likely they will start by focusing on estates where there have been no flags in the past, ie where there is no evidence of the community wanting them there. The Loughview estate where the first prosecutions took place is a case in point – the LVF needed a new base where they would be left alone by other terrorist groups – and it is also one of the few mixed estates in Northern Ireland. A number of LVF men were evicted from squats in the town on Monday by the Housing Executive.

The Policing Board is expected to discuss this matter today.

Belfast Gonzo

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