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Peace wall taken down after almost 27 years

Michael Cooper Three men in Hi-Viz jackets dismantle a steel wall that has been covered in multi-coloured graffiti. The wall sits at the end of a street with derelict red-brick houses running perpendicular to it. One of the men is on-top of a ladder with a steel cutter in hand. Sparks can be seen flying of the cutter. Michael Cooper
A local councillor described the structure as "a total eyesore"

A peace wall at an interface in Portadown in County Armagh has been taken down after almost 27 years.

The 3m-tall metal structure was removed under a Department of Justice (DoJ) and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council-led strategy.

A local developer is planning to regenerate and redevelop the derelict site.

There are still over 20 miles of peace walls - or peace lines - across Northern Ireland, the majority across Belfast.

They divide predominantly unionist and nationalist areas and some date back to the start of the Troubles in the late 1960s.

Between 2013 and 2023, 18 were removed.

The wall in Water Street in Portadown was taken down after the DoJ and the council worked with the community.

Sinn Féin councillor Paul Duffy described the interface as "a total eyesore," saying "you can see it from the main Dublin to Belfast trainline, and it's just very unsightly".

"It's part of an ongoing process about other peace walls in the town, this is the first stage and I hope it continues," he said.

'Significant step forward'

Justice Minister Naomi Long said removing peace walls made a "positive contribution to building a truly shared society".

"Significant collaboration has been going on behind the scenes and I commend the local community for supporting this significant step forward," she said.

Michael Cooper Two men in Hi-Viz jackets dismantle a steel wall that has been covered in multi-coloured graffiti. The wall sits at the end of a street with a black lorry parked behind them. One of the men is on-top of a ladder with a steel cutter in hand. Sparks can be seen flying of the cutter. Michael Cooper

Lord Mayor Sarah Duffy said the move was "an important step in the regeneration of this area and we are hopeful for what the future may bring for local residents".

Obins Street and Park Road Community Association welcomed the removal.

"We, along with others from within the community have been working tirelessly for some years and are excited, given the proposed redevelopment of Water Street; an area that has been lying derelict for many years," the association said.

Parkmount Orange Lodge and Dumcree Community Trust both also welcomed the wall being taken down.