Two boards in Welsh Street, south Belfast: “Vote Sınn Féın’s [Seán] Hayes. Keep the Orange Order out. May 21st No. 1” and “93% Protestant, 100% Unionist – Disband the RUC.” The figure on the left is a three-in-one RUC officer, Orange Order member, and loyalist paramilitary. Hayes was elected fourth from the Laganbank district, taking a seat from the SDLP.
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Copyright © 1997 Peter Moloney
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A Christmas reminder about republicans in jail: “Saoırse – Release the POWs”. For the same candle in barbed wire and chained-up forearms, see Sınn Féın Action Monitor.
Market Street, Belfast
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Copyright © 1997 Peter Moloney
M01343
“Here is a final image from lower Ormeau about Orange Order flute band marches through the area in the summer of 1997.
Cooke Street, south Belfast
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Copyright © 1997 Peter Moloney
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This mural was never finished, so it’s not entirely clear what it was meant to represent. It shows two and a half RUC officers in riot gear, leaping like ninjas, presumably over the wishes of lower Ormeau residents.
Essex St/Sraid Conchúr Mhic Neasa, Belfast.
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Copyright © 1997 Peter Moloney
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The “approved Orange route” – approved by the “SS” RUC and the Parades Commission Chairman, is right over Catholics. The march was cancelled on July 11th after opposition to marches in many places, including the Drumcree march of July 6th. “June 20” (on the right of the mural) is the date Mo Mowlam (Beware!) is reported to have decided to force the Drumcree march down Garvaghy Road.
Dromara Street, south Belfast
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Copyright © 1997 Peter Moloney
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“No peace without justice”. Róısín McAliskey (daughter of Bernadette Devlin McAliskey) was arrested in 1996 in connection with a mortar attack on a British Army base in Germany and held in Holloway prison (London) until March 1998.
Ormeau Road, south Belfast
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Copyright © 1997 Peter Moloney
M01337
The faces of four children of different races are worked into a curve of celtic knotwork, feathers, and Tricolour.
“Corn Beef Tin”, Central Drive, Creggan, Derry
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Copyright © 1997 Peter Moloney
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Harryville is an area of Ballymena with a small Catholic population which needed police protection to attend mass. The Independent called it “the town where hatred burns stronger than hope“. With “No RUC”, “No watch towers”, “Free Róisín McAliskey“, and a green ribbon for the campaign to free POWs.
Park Ave, Derry
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Copyright © 1997 Peter Moloney
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Contrasting messages from Anne Street, Derry: on one hand, a demand for “all party talks”; on the other, a celebrating volunteer says “the boys are back”. The first ceasefire ended in February 1996, the second commenced in July 1997.
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Copyright © 1997 Peter Moloney
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An eagle lifts the Irish Tricolour heavenward. Corn Beef Tin, Central Drive, Derry. Tony Crowley/MNI has pictures of the work in progress.
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Copyright © 1997 Peter Moloney
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Peter Moloney Collection 