Pope poster 'an insult to Catholics'

The poster, featuring an image of the Pope with a line through it as well as the words “No Pope”, was attached to a tree on the main Castlewellan Road.

It is thought the poster was erected at some stage on Thursday - coinciding with the Pontiff’s visit to Scotland - and removed on Saturday.

Local councillor Seamus Doyle said he had been contacted by a resident concerned that someone would go to the trouble of making and displaying a poster of that nature.

“It’s desperate that this would happen in our area,” said the SDLP councillor.

“Especially when you see the reception the Pope got in the rest of the UK from the Queen and everyone else.

“It’s a pity not all of her British subjects can act with such respect.”

Mr Doyle said the poster’s sentiment will do nothing to encourage good cross-community relations in the area.

“I don’t know who is responsible for this but it is insulting to their Catholic neighbours,” he added. “It’s not the sort of thing you want to see happening.”