A postman in East Belfast has been dismissed after security footage captured him deliberately kicking over a rainbow-themed garden gnome and Pride flag planter, in what authorities are treating as a homophobic hate crime.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of Saturday, 6 December, and was captured on Ring Doorbell footage. The video reportedly shows the postman delivering mail before glancing around to ensure no one was watching, then kicking over a decorative plant pot containing a rainbow gnome and a Pride flag.
“We were absolutely stunned when we checked the Ring footage,” one of the home’s residents told Belfast Live.
“You never expect to see your own postman looking around to make sure the coast is clear and then deliberately kicking over your property.”
The residents believe the act was deliberate and motivated by homophobia.
“It wasn’t just a gnome and a planter. It felt like a targeted message, and that’s what has really shaken us.
“There’s no doubt in our minds that this was a homophobic act. These items weren’t in his way. He sought them out and kicked them over on purpose.”
Royal Mail response and police investigation
The occupants said they immediately contacted Royal Mail to report the incident but received no follow-up until they contacted the media.
“At the very least, we expected a call back, some reassurance, or even an acknowledgement that what happened was unacceptable,” one tenant said.
“We are not trying to cause trouble for the sake of it, but we don’t want anyone else to go through something like this.”
In response, Royal Mail confirmed the individual was an agency worker and that their contract had been terminated immediately.
Meanwhile, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that the incident is being investigated as a homophobic hate crime and appealed to the public for any relevant footage or information.
“We received a report at around 11.15am on Sunday, 7th December of a plant pot containing a Pride flag and a garden gnome statue with a rainbow being knocked over at a property in the Rosebery Gardens area,” police told Belfast Live.
“It was reported that a man observed at the house at around 3.35pm on Saturday, 6th December, looked at the plant pot before deliberately kicking it over. This incident is being treated as a homophobic hate crime and our enquiries are ongoing.”
Authorities are urging anyone who may have been in the Rosebery Gardens area at the time, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage, to come forward.
