By Michele Canning Smith

A staff member at the Social Security Agency in Strabane has been forced to remove a flag from her car, parked in the car park of the government offices in the town.

The incident occurred yesterday and the employee, understood to be female, was asked to take down the flag as it had apparently caused offence to an employee.

Her car was parked in the SSA car park at Urney Road.

The Strabane Chronicle has also learned that a similar incident occurred in Coleraine last week, again to a Strabane employee who had been there for training.

She too was asked to remove the Tyrone car flag from her vehicle.

We contacted Ryan McNulty of the Strabane Trades Union Council yesterday (Wednesday) to gauge the body's reaction.

He could not speak on behalf of the Council but he did speak from a personal perspective.

He told us, "Personally speaking, in this day and age when the police and British Army can play at Croke Park, the English international football team can play at Croke Park I just don't know how the Tyrone flag can be described as offensive.

"It's not an exclusive flag or game, in fact it's all inclusive and I don't see how someone can take offence

"But the law is the law (Flags & Emblems Act). If people want to abuse that, then there is not much that can be done," added Mr McNulty.

A spokesperson for the Department of Social Development confirmed the incident in Strabane.

He said, "An incident occurred in Strabane Jobs & Benefits Office today relating to a complaint received regarding an item displayed in a car parked within the staff car-park.

"To ensure that the Social Security Agency fully complies with policies in terms of creating a neutral and harmonious working environment, the member of staff was requested to remove this item.

"This request was complied with and no further action was taken."