'Legal advice' over Irish street signs

She accused councillors of delaying the erection of further signs in the area where English/Irish bilingual signage already exists in Rasharkin, Dunloy and Loughgiel.

She said the current delay in allowing more applications to be processed could leave the way open for a legal challenge.

Cllr Cavlan said: "Ballymoney Council has in place a policy for the erection of street nameplates in a language other than English. This policy accommodates those who want their street or road names displayed in the Irish language.

"For the past year the DUP has deferred the decision to erect Irish street-signage even though those who have requested it have abided by the Council's policy to the letter. For the Council to continue to defy its own policy is an untenable position and has left the Council open to legal challenge.

"I believe that given the length of time that these decisions have been deferred that a legal challenge is much more likely to succeed."

If legal costs arise she hoped the councillors involved personally foot the bill rather than ratepayers.

Cllr Cavlan said a DUP councillor proposed that the Council contacted the Equality Commission about the matter "and their response has strengthened the argument that I have already put forward that the Council must abide by its own policies."

She added: "The Commission has recommended consistency with the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages which was signed up to by the British Government. It also states that Irish street names 'should be provided where there is a local demand'.

"I will be flagging up to the Equality Commission that this policy isn't being applied."

She said those wanting Irish signs are being discriminated against "because of their religious and political background".

Cllr Cavlan said: "As a result of the Council's stance of not implementing its own policy community relations are being damaged further in the district, something the Equality Commission also refers to.

"No-one in this Council has interfered with Council policy when it comes to Ulster Scots and they probably never will," she said.