Co Down bookshop vandalised over Sally Rooney book sales

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 13:44 · Archive

Police are treating graffiti at a bookshop in Dromore, Co Down, as a sectarian hate crime.

Graffiti appeared on the door of Bridge Books in Dromore sometime between the evening of Wednesday 21 October and the morning of Thursday 22 October. The graffiti called Irish author Sally Rooney a 'terrorist supporter' and questioned why the shop was selling her books. Police are treating the criminal damage as a sectarian-motivated hate crime, with enquiries ongoing.

Rooney recently stopped her books being sold in parts of the UK, saying she would be unable to receive royalties from them due to her support for Palestine Action. However, some bookshops in Northern Ireland have continued to sell her books as they can be purchased through her Irish supplier. Bridge Books had previously said they would continue to stock the author's works.

The shop owner posted on social media following the incident, saying: 'This is what I arrived to this morning.' They asked anyone local who saw the vandalism being done to come forward to police.

How it is being reported

• Co Down bookshop targeted with graffiti calling author Sally Rooney a ‘terrorist supporter’Bookshop had previously said they would continue to stock the author’s books after they were withdrawn from sale by UK publisherBelfast Telegraph · 23 Oct, 13:10
• Hate crime investigation after Co Down shop targeted for selling Sally Rooney booksBridge Books in Dromore was vandalised for selling the Irish author's booksBelfast Live · 23 Oct, 08:07

In this story: Sally Rooney · Bridge Books · Dromore · Co Down · Palestine Action · PSNI

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