Graffiti targeting Government Ministers is despicable – O’Dowd

The home addresses of two Government ministers being graffitied on Belfast walls in an apparent intimidation bid is today being utterly condemned by Fine Gael TD and Chairperson of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, Fergus O’Dowd

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have launched an investigation into the separate graffiti incidents in Belfast targeting Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney.

Deputy O’Dowd, a Louth TD, said such an incident is despicable and horrendous.

“I utterly condemn it. It is despicable. No politician or Government Minister anywhere on this island should have to countenance that – it is completely wrong. Hopefully, the PSNI can identify those responsible,” Deputy O’Dowd said.

The Fine Gael TD became Chairperson of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement last year.

“Today is St Patrick’s Day. It is a day when we celebrate our history, our heritage, our culture and most importantly Irish people the world over.

“In these times when our lives are severely restricted with the pandemic, it is even more important we continue to foster and unify relationships, in the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement, across the island of Ireland and worldwide.

“Our primary focus today must be on building on our excellent personal and political engagement between President Joe Biden and Taoiseach Micheál Martin and also separately, Vice President Harris and First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill.

“This American administration is fully committed to ensuring that the Good Friday Agreement continues to be supported and used to resolve current concerns about difficulties arising from the Brexit.

“Incidents such as the daubing of graffiti in Belfast to try to intimidate political leaders will never succeed and our resolve to ensure peace and a bright future on this island will never be defeated,” Deputy O’Dowd said.