Galway Pride committee defiant as flag stolen for third year in a row

From this week’s Galway City Tribune – For the third year in a row, the Galway Pride flag was stolen during festivities, but this time the culprits went to great trouble to damage the pole in what organisers believe was a group act of vandalism.

Unable to simply replace it, activists returned to Eyre Square and took pictures of themselves bearing ten flags to replace it in a symbolic act of defiance.

At this stage it would almost be surprising if the flag was not a target, remarked the chairperson of the Galway Pride Committee, Councillor Owen Hanley. Unfortunately, it reflects the negativity that the LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual) community continues to attract among some sections of society.

“We couldn’t raise it again because of the damaged pole, but we still wanted to send the message that won’t be frightened back into the closet – we’re here, we’re queer and we’re not going anywhere,” the Social Democrats councillor declared.

Following a complaint by Cllr Hanley, Gardaí are trawling through CCTV in a bid to identify those responsible. Because of the positions of cameras, previous attempts to catch the flag thieves have been unsuccessful.

“It’s my feeling this took more than one person as the pole was very steady. That’s the only surprising thing about this. It happened a few times in 2019 and twice last year. It’s almost becoming a very sad annual ritual.”

(Photo: The Galway Pride committee returned to Eyre Square after their man flag was stolen and flagpole vandalised).
This is a shortened preview version of this article. To read the rest of the story and for more on Pride Week, see this week’s Galway City Tribune. You can buy a digital edition HERE.