Audio interview with Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association, by Aine Lawlor for RTE Radio 1 show Morning Ireland on 18 December 2012. On 3 December Belfast City Council voted to only fly the Union flag above City Hall on designated days rather than the entire calendar year. The motion was supported by Sinn Fein, the SDLP and the Alliance Party. This decision led to public protests by sections of the unionist community across Northern Ireland, but particularly in Belfast, during December 2012 and early January 2013. In some areas PSNI members were attacked and death threats were sent to Northern Ireland politicians. Two DUP members were also warned of death threats apparently from dissident republicans during this period. Roberts is interviewed about the impact of these protests on the Belfast economy. Morning Ireland is RTE Radio 1’s daily breakfast news programme.
Date of Release/Broadcast: 18 December 2012
Name of First Interviewee: Glyn Roberts
Role at time of Interview: Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association
Interviewer: Aine Lawlor
Purpose: News
Media: Audio
Copyright: © RTÉ 2012
Link: Listen to the interview
Programme/Book/Article: RTE Radio 1 Morning Ireland
Time Period covered: 2012
Key Individuals: Glyn Roberts
Key Words: Flag, UUP, protest, economy, Sinn Fein, SDLP, Alliance Party, PSNI, violence, youth