Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
STORMONT THREAT TO THE PEACE
Lack of functioning Assembly leaves divides in place when they should be down
PEOPLE living next to peace walls are in danger of “losing faith” as the Stormont impasse continues, it is warned today.
Action plans and strategies to bring the barriers down are now stalling without a functioning Assembly.
International Fund for Ireland chairman Dr Adrian Johnston said: “If support isn’t offered, progress in peace building may be negatively affected.”
THE lack of devolved government in Northern Ireland is hampering efforts to transform peace walls, it was warned.
There are an estimated 116 barriers separating unionist and nationalist communities across the country.
A small number have been removed or transformed, including one at a former flashpoint in Ardoyne, North Belfast, which was modified to lower height black metal railings in 2016. Dr Adrian Johnston, chairman of the International Fund for Ireland said progress on other barriers has slowed in the absence of a functioning Stormont.
He added: “Our Peace Walls Programme has been working with interface communities since 2012.
“We are calling for appropriate levels of support for all communities in inter- face areas once walls are removed or softened.
“If support isn’t offered, progress in peace building may be negatively affected, which could lead to residents losing faith in the process on the ground.”
Peace walls are mostly located in Belfast but are also in Londonderry as well as Co Armagh towns Lurgan and Portadown.
At the beginning of the year there were 12 barriers on which it was hoped progress could be made but it later became clear movement may have been possible on seven if an aftercare strategy had been put in place by government.