An Aontú representative has spoken out to condemn the use of her election poster on bonfires in counties Derry and Antrim. Gemma Brolly, Aontú representative for East Derry, said she was ‘gutted’ that bitterness continues to ‘run riot’ throughout communities in Northern Ireland ‘with no one to put a halt to it’.
Her comments come after the PSNI refused to remove the posters in one area because doing so was deemed to be “too dangerous”.
It's a weakness in a culture that defines itself by burning the symbols of others.
Aontú reps work with respect for everyone, to make this place better for all.
Míle buíochas to those from all denominations who have expressed their disappointment & solidarity with our reps pic.twitter.com/opp7Kl9paq
— Peadar Tóibín TD (@Toibin1) July 11, 2022
According to Ms Brolly, who ran for the NI Assembly election in May, her election posters on bonfires in Carnany, Ballymoney and Garvagh were reported to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
Ms Brolly told Gript that while the PSNI followed up on the use of the posters, they could not remove posters in Garvagh because it was “too dangerous”, and claimed they attempted to ascertain where the posters came from and who organised the bonfire, but they could not do so.
Ms Brolly further explained that by the time the PSNI reached Ballymoney, they could find “no evidence” of the incident as by that time, the young mother’s poster was up in flames.
In a statement released following the emergence of photos of multiple Aontú, SDLP, Sinn Fein and Alliance posters burning on bonfires, Ms Brolly said she had always been taught to respect the culture and tradition of others, and said lessons must be learned as twelfth of July parades take place across the north.
“Family for me is at heart and centre of everything, as it is for most,” she said. “Some of my earliest memories of band parades are standing with my Granda in his garden on the main street of Rasharkin watching ‘the bands’ playing flutes, accordions but especially bagpipes.
“I was oblivious to the colours, only hearing the music, only learning from an early age to appreciate music and respect all cultures.
“As I grew older those same lessons continued, handed down from my parents and grandparents. At this time every year I remember the lesson of another grandparent – never respond to hate with hate – “close the curtains, pay no attention for that’s all they want” (referring to those displaying bitterness and hatred, not tradition or culture.”)
“These lessons are always more important at this time of year but especially important now as I live in very different surroundings with my own family, with my own children at heart and centre of everything, where their safety and wellbeing are priority and always will be.
“I am so grateful for the wonderful progress my children can now enjoy but I am gutted that the same bitterness is still running riot throughout our communities with no one to put a halt to it. As long as such behaviour continues; as long as flags and images burn, images of mothers, daughters, fathers and sons, having to explain perhaps to their children why their poster is burning when all they seek is to work to better the lives of everyone in their community, as long as it was “too dangerous” or “too risky” to strip bonfires of bitterness and keep culture traditional and respectful, hate crimes, victimisation and intimidation will continue,” Ms Brolly added.
She continued: “Small, safe-sized bonfires perhaps even donating leftover wood to those in the community in such costly times and bands who march with respect and love of music are surely closer to ‘culture’ and can only bring about more respect and appreciation?”
She also highlighted the events of 12th July 1998, when three young brothers, Jason, Mark and Richard Quinn, were killed in a firebomb attack on their home in Ballymoney in County Antrim by the UVF.
“Each time I pray at the grave of my grandparents in Rasharkin, I can see a grave with a clear box packed with teddy bears, a reminder of the heart-breaking murder of three beautiful boys on 12th July 1998, a reminder of what such bitterness and hatred can result in, the loss of innocence, the loss of beautiful innocent lives,” she said.
“As my face burns on bonfires in the name of Aontú with others, mothers and fathers alike, and as we protect our children from such ugliness, I continue to plan with Aontú and work on how we will improve health, education, community relations for everyone. For the Quinn children and every member of our community, we must learn from our past, laying each brick of our future now, with courage and respect together,” Ms Brolly concluded.