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Sinn Féin employee resigns after damage to DUP portrait | Sinn Féin employee resigns after damage to DUP portrait |
(32 minutes later) | |
The portrait was on display at Belfast City Hall | The portrait was on display at Belfast City Hall |
A Sinn Féin employee has resigned after admitting their involvement in an incident where damage was caused to a portrait in Belfast City Hall. | A Sinn Féin employee has resigned after admitting their involvement in an incident where damage was caused to a portrait in Belfast City Hall. |
A painting of former lord mayor and Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) peer Lord Wallace Browne was removed from a wall at the weekend and its glass was "smashed". | A painting of former lord mayor and Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) peer Lord Wallace Browne was removed from a wall at the weekend and its glass was "smashed". |
A Sinn Féin spokesperson said the employee was "immediately suspended" and the Police Service of Northern Ireland has been notified. | A Sinn Féin spokesperson said the employee was "immediately suspended" and the Police Service of Northern Ireland has been notified. |
The party said the employee, who worked in the assembly, had now resigned from their job and the party membership. | The party said the employee, who worked in the assembly, had now resigned from their job and the party membership. |
DUP councillor Dean McCullough said the glass in the portrait's frame had been smashed in the incident. | |
He told BBC News NI's Evening Extra that the damage was "disgraceful". | |
The DUP has called for a "full and robust investigation". | The DUP has called for a "full and robust investigation". |
The council said it was "assessing the extent of the damage and looking into the circumstances". | The council said it was "assessing the extent of the damage and looking into the circumstances". |
It added that it hoped the portrait could be repaired "as soon as possible so the portrait can be put back on display". | It added that it hoped the portrait could be repaired "as soon as possible so the portrait can be put back on display". |
'Extremely disappointed' | 'Extremely disappointed' |
The incident happened following an event at City Hall on Saturday evening to celebrate an Irish language group's 20th anniversary. | The incident happened following an event at City Hall on Saturday evening to celebrate an Irish language group's 20th anniversary. |
Glór na Móna said they were "extremely disappointed" to learn of the incident and would assist the council with its investigation. | Glór na Móna said they were "extremely disappointed" to learn of the incident and would assist the council with its investigation. |
It said: "Following the formal end of our event, a portrait within city hall was damaged. | It said: "Following the formal end of our event, a portrait within city hall was damaged. |
"Glór na Móna had no knowledge of this taking place and only became aware of this on Monday 21 October when contacted by council staff. | "Glór na Móna had no knowledge of this taking place and only became aware of this on Monday 21 October when contacted by council staff. |
"This is completely contrary to the ethos and principles of our organisation and the spirit of our successful anniversary celebratory event." | "This is completely contrary to the ethos and principles of our organisation and the spirit of our successful anniversary celebratory event." |
Several senior Sinn Féin members were among those seen in pictures posted online from the city hall event. | Several senior Sinn Féin members were among those seen in pictures posted online from the city hall event. |
They included former party leader Gerry Adams and Aisling Reilly, a junior minister in the Northern Ireland Executive. | They included former party leader Gerry Adams and Aisling Reilly, a junior minister in the Northern Ireland Executive. |
The portrait of DUP peer Lord Wallace Browne was removed from a wall at the weekend | The portrait of DUP peer Lord Wallace Browne was removed from a wall at the weekend |
The incident comes days after a portrait of former Belfast Lord Mayor Niall Ó Donnghaile was removed from City Hall. | The incident comes days after a portrait of former Belfast Lord Mayor Niall Ó Donnghaile was removed from City Hall. |
Party group leaders on the council agreed the move unanimously, it is understood. | Party group leaders on the council agreed the move unanimously, it is understood. |
It followed revelations that Mr Ó Donnghaile quit Sinn Féin after sending inappropriate texts to a teenage boy. | It followed revelations that Mr Ó Donnghaile quit Sinn Féin after sending inappropriate texts to a teenage boy. |
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald told the Dáil (Irish parliament) there were no findings of illegality and no criminal charges were pursued. | Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald told the Dáil (Irish parliament) there were no findings of illegality and no criminal charges were pursued. |
The DUP's McCullough questioned whether the portrait being damaged was "in any way linked" to the "rightful removal" of Mr Ó Donnghaile's portrait. | The DUP's McCullough questioned whether the portrait being damaged was "in any way linked" to the "rightful removal" of Mr Ó Donnghaile's portrait. |
"Further, it is worth highlighting that this particular portrait was painted by the renowned Jewish artist, Israel Zohar - again, raising another, serious question," he said. | "Further, it is worth highlighting that this particular portrait was painted by the renowned Jewish artist, Israel Zohar - again, raising another, serious question," he said. |
"Let us be clear, we will not tolerate the portraits of upstanding public servants, and Democratic Unionists, being damaged in our city hall." | "Let us be clear, we will not tolerate the portraits of upstanding public servants, and Democratic Unionists, being damaged in our city hall." |