Increasing levels of sectarianism and intimidation are being directed against the Irish identity in the north of Ireland.

Disputes over the Irish language, graffiti targeting outsiders and murals linked to loyalist paramilitarism have reignited tensions ahead of the anti-Catholic sectarian marching season.

The High Court in Belfast on Wednesday heard that the DUP-controlled Department for Communities will not bring forward a long-delayed Irish language strategy during the current Stormont Executive’s lifetime, which is due to end next year.

Dr Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh, of Irish language organisation Conradh na Gaeilge, said outside court: “The current Minister, Gordon Lyons, has had well over two years to finalise a draft that was started in 2020, and now tells us there is no possibility of that work concluding by May 2027.

“That is both outrageous and unacceptable and another illustration of the contempt that has been shown to both the Irish language and indeed previous High Court rulings on this matter.”

Sinn Féin’s communities spokesperson Colm Gildernew said it was the latest example of a “deliberate, provocative and intolerant” approach by Gordon Lyons towards the Irish language.

“The DUP has once again launched an assault on the Irish language in an attempt to shore up its electoral base and win back support from the extreme right of unionism,” he said.

“The DUP Deputy First Minister, in recent days waxed lyrical about standing and speaking up for everyone in the north, the reality is that the DUP would rather stand against those in the Irish Language community and will go to any lengths to delay, deter and deny them their rights.”

It follows a controversy at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, where councillors were debating the authority’s policy against the use of the Irish language.

During the debate, loyalist councillor Russell Watton declared that any Irish language signs erected in his area “would be down the next morning” and “the grinders are sitting waiting”.

The remarks drew widespread condemnation. Conradh na Gaeilge described the comments as a “heinous anti-Irish outburst” and said they reflected a deeper hostility towards language rights.

Sinn Féin councillor Kathleen McGurk accused some unionist representatives of fuelling sectarian hostility.

“These comments are reckless, inflammatory and serve no purpose other than emboldening hatred towards the Irish language community,” she said.

Escalating tensions have extended beyond political chambers.

In Belfast’s Shankill area, a house listed for sale online recently (pictured) was covered in loyalist graffiti reading “locals only”, “No SF” and accompanied by a crosshairs symbol.

The images, visible on a popular property website, prompted condemnation from political representatives.

Sinn Féin councillor Claire Canavan described the graffiti as “disgusting”.

“All political and community leaders in the area must condemn it unequivocally,” she said.

“Diversity enriches our society. There is no excuse whatsoever for hatred such as this.”

Further controversy erupted in south Belfast after a newly unveiled loyalist mural featured a flute band marching past the site of the Sean Graham bookmakers massacre, which left five innocent Catholics dead and several others injured.

Families of those killed described the imagery as “odious and deliberately offensive in the extreme”.

“There’s a stark difference between cultural expression and naked sectarianism that seeks to deliberately promote an appalling atrocity, which in turn re traumatises those bereaved and injured,” the families said in a statement.

“This image is odious and deliberately offensive in the extreme. It needs to be removed immediately.”

And some of the worst street violence of the year has followed a loyalist parade through east Belfast last Saturday evening, when rioting and attempted looting erupted following the annual East Belfast Protestant Boys parade (pictured, top). Two restaurants in the Connswater area had to close after loyalist youths smashed windows, before the crowd turned on the small number of police present.

The failure of the PSNI police to make arrests has raised fears of further violence surrounding the several hundreds of anti-Catholic parades scheduled to take place over the summer.

A PSNI statement claimed that the parade “largely passed off peacefully” and hinted only at the possibility of “consequences, by way of proactive arrests” for those involved.