Councillor Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig has backed his decision to spray point over the anti-Ukrainian graffiti on a sign in Kilmacrennan.
The councillor believes it is a matter of ensuring those who have fled war in their country feel safe in our communities.
Cllr Micheál Choilm said: “I’d like to clarify a few things regarding the video I posted on my Facebook in which i took immediate action to cover up an offensive symbol that was painted on to a road sign in Cill Mhic Reanáin, Dún na nGall.
“The road sign in question is of a village in our community that is housing people fleeing a war. The Z symbol can be seen as deeply offensive to the Ukrainian refugees who are fleeing the War in their country.
“Regardless of your thoughts on that War, we have innocent women, men and children residing here in our communities and it’s always the responsible and right thing to do to ensure they are not made to feel intimidated in any way.
“Therefore, I took direct action to sufficiently alter the offensive graffiti until I can obtain the necessary cleaning materials to bring the sign post back to how it should look.”
“As a public representative I have a duty to oppose hatred, racism and intimidation, the same as all leaders within our community from CLG, youth clubs, farming groups the media and others.
“With this in mind I am hoping to organise the delivery of Good Relations workshops in the community for all interested residents in the new year.
“Racism is something we Irish have and do experience and we do not need to be reminded of the offensive signs that appeared in other countries when we were forced there due to occupation, starvation and capitalism, ‘No Irish, no blacks, no dogs’.”
