£20,000 for Peace: Belfast City Council's Response to Portrait Vandalism

In the wake of a vandalism incident involving a portrait of former lord mayor Lord Browne at Belfast City Hall, the council has allocated £20,000 towards enhancing security measures. The painting, which belongs to the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), was defaced in October last year, leading to significant public concern and a police investigation classified as a hate crime.

Following the incident, a Sinn Féin staff member resigned amid the ongoing police inquiries. The council initially refrained from disclosing the costs associated with the security upgrades, citing the active investigation as a reason. However, after a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), it eventually revealed the £20,000 expenditure on security improvements.

Official statements indicate that a review of security protocols was initiated, yet specifics about the new measures have not been disclosed. Notably, surveillance enhancements include the installation of a new security camera near the portrait. This cost is in addition to nearly £2,500 spent on professional restorations of the damaged artwork.

DUP councillor Dean McCullough has expressed his concern over the incident, emphasizing the significance of City Hall as a shared space and calling for transparency, accountability, and justice. The vandalism coincided with a celebratory event for an Irish-language group, leading to heightened sensitivities surrounding the portrayal of community representations within public spaces.

The PSNI is actively pursuing the investigation, having already interviewed a suspect related to the vandalism. A file has been forwarded to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) for potential criminal charges. The council, while advancing security costs, also intends to seek reimbursement for the restoration expenses contingent on the outcome of the police investigation.