Shooting: We didn’t erect flag says order
Irish News
1 July 09
THE Apprentice Boys last night distanced themselves from a loyalist flags dispute that escalated into a shooting.
Up to three shots were fired through the living-room window of a Protestant couple’s home in Ballymena, Co Antrim, after they tried to mediate in a row.
No-one was injured in the attack in the Rossdale area early yesterday.
The shooting is understood to have followed an approach by the woman to people who put up loyalist flags in the mixed housing development.
It is believed that she had asked them whether they had residents’ permission.
DUP councillor John Carson said he “firmly believes” the latest attack on the couple – who belong to a community association – was connected to the putting up of flags in the mixed estate.
Mr Carson said a deal on erecting flags in the area had been brokered last year.
It was agreed that the erection of flags would be low-key, he said.
Among the flags flying close to the couple’s house yesterday was one in support of the Apprentice Boys.
However, the organisation’s general secretary, William Moore, said last night: “The Apprentice Boys doesn’t have a policy of flying flags apart from on our own property.
“We don’t have control over who flies a flag.”
Police have increased patrols in the area and are studying CCTV footage which captured shadowy images of the gunman.
Meanwhile, a man arrested yesterday in connection with the attack was last night released pending further inquiries.
'So venceremos, beidh bua againn eigin lá eigin. Sealadaigh abú.'
--Bobby Sands