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George Best mural replaced by gunman in east Belfast George Best mural replaced by gunman in east Belfast
(14 days later)
George Best's image has been replaced by a paramilitary mural glorifying the Ulster Volunteer Force in his native east Belfast.George Best's image has been replaced by a paramilitary mural glorifying the Ulster Volunteer Force in his native east Belfast.
The replacement of the football icon by a painting of a UVF gunman is being seen as a regressive move during a year when the constituency became a focal point for loyalist street violence linked to the flag and parades disputes.The replacement of the football icon by a painting of a UVF gunman is being seen as a regressive move during a year when the constituency became a focal point for loyalist street violence linked to the flag and parades disputes.
The homage to Best was on a wall at Inverwood Court in the Sydenham area of the city.The homage to Best was on a wall at Inverwood Court in the Sydenham area of the city.
Belfast city council said in a statement that it had been "unaware of any plans" to replace the artwork remembering Best, who died in 2005.Belfast city council said in a statement that it had been "unaware of any plans" to replace the artwork remembering Best, who died in 2005.
The council said: "In 2010, Belfast city council, as part of the council's Peace III project Tackling the Physical Manifestations of Sectarianism, provided £1,500 towards the material costs of a mural in memory of George Best.The council said: "In 2010, Belfast city council, as part of the council's Peace III project Tackling the Physical Manifestations of Sectarianism, provided £1,500 towards the material costs of a mural in memory of George Best.
"This mural replaced an old UVF mural and was welcomed by the community at the time.""This mural replaced an old UVF mural and was welcomed by the community at the time."
The Best mural featured a black and gold plaque with an inscription that read: "Dedicated to the legend that was George Best. Work hard to develop the talent you were born with, be dedicated and embrace every chance you have to learn, then your dreams can be realised."The Best mural featured a black and gold plaque with an inscription that read: "Dedicated to the legend that was George Best. Work hard to develop the talent you were born with, be dedicated and embrace every chance you have to learn, then your dreams can be realised."
Best grew up on the Cregagh estate and last year the family home was transformed into a B&B run by the community for fans and admirers of the soccer star to stay in.Best grew up on the Cregagh estate and last year the family home was transformed into a B&B run by the community for fans and admirers of the soccer star to stay in.
The Manchester United and Northern Ireland player died aged 59 after a high-profile battle with alcoholism. Up to 100,000 people lined the streets of his native city for his funeral, which was held at Stormont, the seat of Northern Ireland's power-sharing government.The Manchester United and Northern Ireland player died aged 59 after a high-profile battle with alcoholism. Up to 100,000 people lined the streets of his native city for his funeral, which was held at Stormont, the seat of Northern Ireland's power-sharing government.
After the loyalist paramilitary ceasefires, murals of the UVF and Ulster Defence Association (UDA) were replaced by cultural and sporting icons including Best, the late Wolverhampton Wanderers and Northern Ireland striker Derek Dougan as well as paintings remembering the workers who built the Titanic in Belfast.After the loyalist paramilitary ceasefires, murals of the UVF and Ulster Defence Association (UDA) were replaced by cultural and sporting icons including Best, the late Wolverhampton Wanderers and Northern Ireland striker Derek Dougan as well as paintings remembering the workers who built the Titanic in Belfast.
East Belfast Alliance party councillor Andrew Webb condemned the removal of the Best mural for that of a UVF gunman.East Belfast Alliance party councillor Andrew Webb condemned the removal of the Best mural for that of a UVF gunman.
He said: "The appearance of this paramilitary image is a backwards step, particularly after so much hard work went into the re-imaging three years ago. I am appalled that a celebration of the life of George Best has been replaced by a sickening image of a paramilitary gunman.He said: "The appearance of this paramilitary image is a backwards step, particularly after so much hard work went into the re-imaging three years ago. I am appalled that a celebration of the life of George Best has been replaced by a sickening image of a paramilitary gunman.
"It is unacceptable that this UVF mural is being used to intimidate and act as a territorial marker. This threatening and divisive behaviour is not something that can be tolerated in a society that is seeking to move forward and become more inclusive to all.""It is unacceptable that this UVF mural is being used to intimidate and act as a territorial marker. This threatening and divisive behaviour is not something that can be tolerated in a society that is seeking to move forward and become more inclusive to all."
The UVF, which was responsible for 500 deaths during the Troubles, has been fragmenting over the past few years. Its so-called East Belfast Battalion has been active in organising riots as part of protests against restricting the flying of the union flag on Belfast city houncil.The UVF, which was responsible for 500 deaths during the Troubles, has been fragmenting over the past few years. Its so-called East Belfast Battalion has been active in organising riots as part of protests against restricting the flying of the union flag on Belfast city houncil.
Last month, police uncovered a hidden arsenal of 16 handguns and 800 rounds of ammunition buried on a National Trust-owned estate on the outskirts of East Belfast. Security sources linked the discovery of the automatic weapons and bullets to the UVF.Last month, police uncovered a hidden arsenal of 16 handguns and 800 rounds of ammunition buried on a National Trust-owned estate on the outskirts of East Belfast. Security sources linked the discovery of the automatic weapons and bullets to the UVF.
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