Dublin People - Supporter shocked over bunting ban

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Supporter shocked over bunting ban

Thursday, 10 July 2008

A NORTHSIDE GAA fan was shocked to discover that bunting she put up in support of the Dublin team had been removed from outside her home.
Sarah Roche, a huge football supporter, was shocked to learn that the bunting she had put up in the Lusk Village development was against estate rules.
At first Sarah thought the blue and navy decorations were removed as a prank but she later found out that there had been complaints so they had to be taken down.
Sarah told Northside People: “My four-year-old son Patrick is a big sports fan, plays Gaelic football locally and goes to matches as often as he can; he doesn’t understand why his county colours were removed.
“I have been living here for four years and I have always put flags out my windows.
“This year we decided we would put bunting on the lights outside the houses with my neighbours.”
Sarah said there were apparently complaints from other residents so they had to be taken down.
“At first we didn’t know what had happened to them,” she stated.
“The kids were gutted. They didn’t understand why we couldn’t just have our own bunting outside the house.”
Sarah, who claims she has received overwhelming support from her neighbours, has since put up new bunting around the estate.
“When I put the bunting up people were calling into the house and saying it was the first time they felt like part of a community,” she said.
“I felt that I had to put it back up. I couldn’t just let a few complaints ruin the decorations and they will only be up for another few weeks.”

Sarah’s neighbours have been discussing the matter on an internet forum where a series of messages of support were left for her, many by neighbours she had never spoken to before.
Many postings to the site called for more serious problems in the area to be addressed instead of minor issues such as this, while others suggested that common areas in the estate should remain neutral.
Sarah said that while she understands that the bunting is technically against the rules, she hopes it will liven the estate up and create a sense of togetherness.
“I remember when Ireland were playing in Italia ‘90, there were flags everywhere and people were having a great time,” she added.
“It can give you a sense of pride as a community when you all rally around a winning team and it’s great fun too.
“It’s not a negative thing to have a bit of pride in your team.
“I was angry and upset to think that people would complain about the bunting.”
The property management company for Sarah’s estate declined to comment when contacted by Northside People.

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