IRA signs have been spray painted across areas of east Tyrone.
The word ‘IRA’ alongside a menacing image of a gun has been spray painted on walls across Coalisland, Clonoe and Stewartstown.
The graffiti has appeared just two days after journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead in Derry/Londonderry while reporting on riots.
SDLP representative for the area Malachy Quinn has condemned those responsible as ‘faceless thugs’.
“Less than two days after Lyra was murdered by faceless thugs these signs have appeared (among others) outside the wall of a Primary School and on the walls of land belong to a Protestant family,” he said.
And he has called the actions ‘intimidating.’
“Not sure the words pathetic or disgusting go far enough anymore, i don’t think those involved in these stunts listen to reason or logic. These need removed immediately from these properties and those that done need to clear off and get a life,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe has strongly condemned the march by republican group Saoradh on O’ Connell street in Dublin yesterday.
A statement issued by Saoradh on Friday claiming that 29-year-old Lyra was ‘accidentally killed’ resulted in widespread criticism.
The mad, the bad & the sad. As these angry wannabes play soldiers it’s a chance for police to check new faces with the old. To take stock of the few idiots, diehards & doubtless internet trolls who shame themselves, their families & our country #LyraMcKee https://t.co/BpYt5SuVn9
— Jim Gamble (@JimGamble_INEQE) April 21, 2019
This makes me Sick seeing these gangsters walk through #Dublin hours after they murdered #LyraMcKee
An honest, hardworking, non Sectarian human being. Unlike members off Saoradh gangsters, haters, murder's of #Taoiseach @PresidentIRL #NotInMyName https://t.co/RiuYd7gkB6— @Ŀ❤ѴE_Antrim (@Love_Antrim) April 21, 2019