Police are treating graffiti sprayed on bilingual streets sign in south Belfast as a “sectarian motivated hate crime”.
The PSNI said two signs were damaged with black spray paint at Laganvale Street in the Stranmillis area.
A spokesman said the report of “criminal damage” was received on Saturday.
Condemning the incident, a People Before Profit spokesperson said they were “disgusted by the recent appearance of sectarian and anti-Irish language graffiti”.
They said it was a symptom of the “continued discrimination against Irish speakers”.
“This comes after the recent distribution of anti-Irish language leaflets outside an Irish language class on the Dublin Road in December,” they added.
“A local resident highlighted that as a diverse area with many speakers and supporters of the Irish language from all backgrounds who, democratically, asked for dual language signage, this doesn’t represent the community of Stranmillis or the wider south Belfast area.
“Sectarian threats have no place in south Belfast.”
The spokesperson added that families in the area who speak Irish should not be left to feel intimidated when leaving their homes by those who refuse to accept the rights to language that underpins a free and fair society.
“Everyone should show our neighbours that we stand with them,” they said.
A PSNI spokesman said: “Police received a report of criminal damage at Laganvale Street, south Belfast, on Saturday 25th January.
“It was reported that two bilingual street signs were damaged with black spray paint in the incident which is being treated as a sectarian motivated hate crime.
“Enquiries are continuing and officers would appeal to anyone with any information to contact police.”
