Removal of GAA flags sparks row in Co Tyrone

Firefighters in the Co Tyrone town of Strabane have expressed their anger at the removal of GAA flags from the fire station in the town.

The Fire Service said the company had a statutory duty to provide a neutral working environment and the flags could have caused offence.

However, the firefighters who work at the station said Strabane was an overwhelmingly nationalist town and the GAA was not a sectarian organisation.

They also pointed out that the Sam Maguire cup was named after a Protestant Gael and that the Tyrone county flag includes the Red Hand of Ulster.

The firemen have served notice that they intend to re-erect the flags if Tyrone win the All-Ireland final later this month.