'Symbol of tyranny' - Row over hotelier flying Union flag rages on

The Union flag has been dubbed "a symbol of tyranny" by a woman opposed to it being flown by an Irish hotelier.

Brendan Rohan, owner of Dunfanaghy Holiday Village at Corcreggan Mill in Donegal, told Independent.ie that earlier this month people took issue with the flag being displayed and the company's Facebook page has since been bombarded with angry messages and threats.

Brendan (64) is determined to stick to his principles and display the banner, as he said that he likes to fly the flag from the home country of his guests to welcome them.

Speaking on Liveline today on RTE Radio One, a woman called Michelle called the Union flag "a symbol of tyranny."

She said: "I don't think he should fly it, it's a symbol or tyranny.

"I go to England a fair bit and you'd never see our tricolour flying, not even in hotels and B&Bs that get a lot of Irish guests so why should we?

"A year after we celebrated our nationalism he's flying the Union flag, I think it's an insult really, I think he's trying to provoke people."

Michelle continued to say that she thinks it's too soon to be displaying the Union flag.

She said: "They were the invading, occupying force, we still haven't got our six counties back, a united Ireland...

"If we had a united Ireland it would be a different story and I think it's still very fresh in the minds of a lot of people...

"We have to remember we live in a Republic but we're not that secure, wait until Brexit happens and there could be a border put back in place, then we'll see how mature and confident we are."

Another listener called Sean disagreed, saying: "The little I heard about Brendan is he's a military man and has respect for flags...

"I'm sure there's not a flag in the world that's not steeped in blood."

Meanwhile Brendan, who spent over 20 years in the Irish Defence Forces, said that while he can understand people's issue with the Union flag, he thinks flying it is a sign of maturity.

He said: "I used to think maybe I'm a nationalist, maybe I'm a republican, but I'm none of those things.

"I suppose the best description is that I'm a patriot, I love my country but I don't consider it to be any better than any other country and I'm not adverse to looking at the problems and issues that we need to work on.

"In regards to a united Ireland, it's fair to say I'm passionate about seeing a united Ireland by agreement, which is what our flag represents."

He added that he comes from a Republican background but that it's time to overcome historical differnces.

He said: "I appreciate the suffering that some people have had to endure in Northern Ireland, I was shocked when I first led border patrol in 1973 and looked over Beelleek and saw the British Army camp with the Union flag flying, I have to admit I was shocked.

"I come from a Republican background and my my father was such a Republican that he would never say our flag was green, white and orange, he would only say green, white and gold.

"In the fullness of time and seeing how things have developed in Northern Ireland and the peace that we are enjoying now, I think we shouldn't entertain anything that damages that."

Brendan continued to say that he will continue to fly it and that perhaps the problem doesn't lie with him.

He said: "If someone feels insulted by that flag maybe they need to look at why they feel insulted and bear in mind I mean no insult, I fly them for respect and fun."

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Online Editors