‘Disgusting’ racist hate messages in Portrush are slammed

CONCERN has been expressed after a number of racist posters were erected in Portrush just months before the Co Antrim town hosts golf ’s Open Championship.

Posters bearing the slogans ‘Thank you for not mixing’ and ‘Save our race’ have been dis- played around the Girona Avenue area of the seaside resort.

With the 148th Open at Portrush due to tee off in five months time, Alliance councillor Chris McCaw said the appearance of the posters is “disgusting”. Around 190,000 visitors are expected to flock to the north coast town when the famous tournament returns for the first time in 70 years, from July 18 to 21. Mr McCaw said Portrush has always been a friendly and welcoming town, for both residents and visitors from all over the world.

“It is clear these posters and their underlying message are trying to sow division among people in Portrush,” Mr McCaw told the Belfast Telegraph.

“Posters containing slogans such as ‘Thank you for not mixing’ or ‘Save our race’ have no place here — or anywhere.

“Nobody has the right to make others feel unwelcome or to encourage this kind of division.

“As we look forward to welcoming people from across the world to Portrush for the Open in July, and as the tourist season is fast approaching, we stand up to anyone trying to push this kind of negative image of our town. We need to remain a united community,” he continued.

“I would urge anyone with information on those behind these posters to give it to police immediately,” Mr McCaw added.

A PSNI spokesperson confirmed the matter had been reported to them: “Police received a report of a number of cards located in the Rodney Square area of Portrush last week.

“The cards have subsequently been removed.”