Flag protest is not ‘directed at hatred towards Protestants’

A Ballyshannon man says he will continue to hang Irish flags during the Rossnowlagh Orange Order Parade season every July. 

Eugene Gallagher hung 67 Irish tricolours in the south Donegal area, from Ballyshannon to Rossnowlagh, last weekend, with the pre-twelfth celebrations bringing over 50 lodges and a huge crowd in attendance.

The protest came just one year after he started his initial protest, when he hung 20 Irish flags in the area.

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“I got so much support from the local people. People donated flags and money towards flags this year, so I went that bit further. 

“For starters, I have absolutely nothing against Protestant people. I did this because I don’t think it is right that people march in my local area flying the Union Jack, a flag that has oppressed my country for hundreds of years. Come down and march if you want, but march without the flag. 

“My wife is a Protestant. This is not directed at hatred towards Protestants, but towards the flag. Hate is a harsh word, but I don’t think that flag should be flown here.”

The flags for next year will be “bigger and better,” Eugene says and the support from the local community in Ballyshannon, Bundoran and Rossnowlagh. 

“It has been mostly comments and messages of support,” he says. “There has been an odd person who disagrees with it, which I don’t mind, but 99% of it has been in support. Of course, I will continue next year. I will be back bigger and better again next year. If you had done something in life and received support for it, then you would do that too.”