‘New IRA’ graffiti at Kerry beautyspot
THERE has been widespread criticism after graffiti supporting a man accused of murdering journalist Lyra McKee and backing a dissident republican party was daubed on buildings at the popular bathing slip in Fenit.
On Friday morning, locals in Fenit woke to find the changing rooms, paths, rocks and other buildings near the slip and diving boards daubed with dissident republican slogans.
As well as a call to ‘Join Saoradh’ the dissident republican party frequently linked to the, socalled, ‘New IRA’, the graffiti also calls for the release of ‘Derry Republican’ Paul McIntyre.
Last Thursday, the day before the graffiti appeared, Paul McIntyre was brought before Derry Magistrates Court, where he was charged with the murder of Ms McKee; possession of firearm and membership of an illegal organisation, the IRA. 29-year-old journalist and prominent LGBTQ rights activist Lyra McKee was shot dead as she observed riots in the Creggan area of Derry in April 2019.
The self-styled ‘New IRA’ later admitted its members were responsible for the killing.
Graffiti similar to that in Fenit was also found in Ballybunion, Blennerville and parts of Tralee town. Other examples found in Limerick and other parts of Munster were posted on the
Munster branch of Saoradh’s Facebook page on Friday along with a message of support for Paul McIntyre.
Saoradh denies it is linked to the New IRA but it has regularly expressed support for the actions of the dissident terror group and its members.
Outgoing Kerry Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris condemned the graffiti.
“Those responsible for vandalising public property with political slogans should stop immediately. They have no support from the public and their actions are completely counter-productive. We now have a peaceful and democratic route to Irish Unity and are closer to that goal than at anytime since partition,” he said.
He was backed by newly elected Sinn Féin Kerry TD Pa Daly, who said those responsible “need to cop themselves on”.
The cost of covering up the graffiti will be borne by the Tralee Bay Swimming Club, who are responsible the buildings. The club has had the slogans whitewashed over, with the buildings to be repainted once the weather improves.