DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said he believed most unionists opposed placing the Irish flag and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on a loyalist bonfire, reports Breaking News.
Police are investigating the Co Tyrone bonfire incident over the weekend as a “hate crime”.
A tall pile of Moygashell, themed as a bonfire contrary to Northern Ireland protocol, attracted attention online after a boat was placed on top of it.
For Saturday night, the Irish Tricolor and the Republican flag were added to the boat, along with a photo of Mr Varadkar.
Mr Donaldson said the actions were wrong regardless of the protocol’s views.
“I think that what happened in burning the flag of our neighbouring state and burning the poster of Leo Varadkar was wrong. It is disrespectful. If people want to earn respect and have respect for their own identity and culture then they have got to show respect for others and I don’t think that what happened and these things that were burned on the bonfire are right. I think that is the view of the overwhelming majority of unionists,” he told RTE, reports Breaking News.
Mr Donaldson said: “I know there are differing views on the Northern Ireland Protocol and its impact on community relations and on the politics of Northern Ireland, I have spoken myself about that. I believe that the protocol undermines some of the principles at the heart of the Belfast agreement, but I am working alongside my political colleagues to address and resolve those issues. We recognise at the end of the day that Northern Ireland prospers when there is political stability. I think the overwhelming majority of people want to see forward movement. We have got to resolve the issues which are at the heart of the current political situation,” reports Breaking News.
There is a banner next to the boat fire that reads “Good Friday Agreement? That ship has sailed” was attached to a fake copy of the 1998 contract with the words “null and void” printed on it.
The DUP leader also dismissed suggestions that there was any possibility of violence after the annual Orange Order-led protest in Drumcree, Portadown.
The Parade Commission refused permission for the return journey, ordering a march along the mainly nationalist Garvaghi Road, a ruling it has maintained since 1998.
Mr Donaldson said: “We will always work to avoid situations becoming violent, I don’t think there is any prospect of that happening in this situation,” reports Breaking News.
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