MLA slams department on attitude to painting of kerbstones
AN MLA has hit out over officials’ failure to contact police about kerbstones being painted red, white and blue.
The information came to light after the SDLP’s John Dallat made a Freedom of Information request to the Department for Infrastructure to ask if it had reported damage to kerbstones and other public property.
In Mr Dallat’s East Londonderry constituency kerbstones were painted both green, white and orange and red, white and blue over the summer.
In August Department for Infrastructure contractors stopped removing red, white and blue paint from a Limavady roundabout after people arrived and began to film them.
The department replied to Mr Dallat’s FoI saying that it had not contacted police.
“In response to your request, I can confirm that in the period 2016 to present, the department has made no formal complaints to PSNI regarding the painting of road edge kerbs on other public property,” the department wrote back.
Mr Dallat said: “I am shocked that a government department responsible for millions of pounds of public property doesn’t have a practice of reporting criminal damage as a matter of course.
“The police claimed in cases where they know the culprits, they have not submitted files to the Public Prosecution Service because they would be rejected, as no one is complaining.
“They went further and suggested that even if the PPS were to recommend prosecutions, these would be thrown out of court, again because there is no formal complaint made.”
The Department for Infrastructure said: “The department does not condone damage to its property, however it is mindful of taking any actions which would heighten community tension and compromise the safety of its staff.
“It does maintain regular liaison with the PSNI and will be raising this issue at the next liaison meeting later this month.”