death threat Graffiti threat targeting journalist appears in Belfast

Threatening graffiti has appeared in Belfast targeting journalist Allison Morris.

The sinister message, which appeared in a nationalist area of north Belfast, appears to insinuate that Ms Morris is an MI5 agent and features a cross-hairs symbol.

It is the second graffiti threat towards Ulster journalists in recent days.

Last week daubings appeared in East Belfast targeting a Sunday world journalist.

Ms Morris, who has been on the receiving end of numerous serious death threats in recent years and who has been a journalist with the Irish News for over 15 years, as well as the newspaper's security correspondent, took to social media to post a tongue-in-cheek rebuff of the threat.

She posted on Twitter: ‘If anyone knows an Alison (sic) Moris (sic) tell her that her name is on a wall in Rosapenna Street – state of that wouldn’t you be scundered #idiots.’

The threat was roundly condemned by politicians and human rights advocates.

First Minister Arlene Foster took to social media to say: ‘Attempts to bully and intimidate Allison and other journalists are disgraceful. Such threats have no place in a democracy.’

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill also condemned the threat, posting: ‘I see that more hate filled graffiti has been sprayed on walls targeting another female journalist. If only these brave misogynistic artists had an ounce of the courage of @AllisonMorris1 & @trishdevlin and every other woman going about her job.’

Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International Northern Ireland said: ‘Paramilitary threats to journalists, whether delivered by police to your door or via gable walls, should *not* be ‘part and parcel’ of the profession.

‘Over time, this climate of fear has a chilling effect on press freedom and freedom of expression.’

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Online Editors