Around nine-in-ten people ‘fully support’ a controversial anti-paramilitary billboard campaign which has come under fire for targeting communities, the Department of Justice (DoJ) has said.
The DoJ published the survey figures in response to criticism surrounding the Ending the Harm campaign, which was launched Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime (EPPOC) in October 2024.
The campaign has been condemned by former Lord Mayor of Belfast, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, who said that the posters were unfairly labelling the community in west Belfast and could impact investment and tourism in areas like Andersonstown.
The DoJ argues that the campaign is “actively changing perceptions” about the harm of such gangs, as evidenced in recent market research.
I have been running a local biz in West Belfast for 30 years – am not being exploited by paramilitary gangs & don’t know any of my small biz peers who are. So if you are thinking of starting a small biz in West and this puts you off, please be aware this is not the norm. 🤦🏼♂️😡 pic.twitter.com/RxOXKadTml
— Máirtín Ó Muilleoir (@newbelfast) February 11, 2025
They say 89% of respondents to a survey “fully supported what the campaign was saying and trying to do”, while 77% thought it was believable and 66% thought it was impactful.
Two thirds of those surveyed agreed with the campaign statement that “paramilitary gangs control our communities with violence, intimidation and drug dealing” and a similar figure agreed that “paramilitary gangs exploit hard-working local businesses”.
Mr Ó Muilleoir said in an editorial published in the Andersonstown News: “No mater how often the Justice department plasters west Belfast with posters saying otherwise, paramilitary gangs do not control our communities.”
While acknowledging the existence of paramilitary gangs, Mr Ó Muilleoir argued they are present in all communities across Ireland – including in affluent areas such as the Malone Road, where the signs “don’t go up”.
Justice Minister Naomi Long previously told The Irish News that the billboards don’t “demonise” certain communities and that they feature in all communities across the north.