“I would never have knowingly used a logo that would offend or hurt the people of this city.”
The owner of a Derry ice-cream shop has apologised for the design of their logo which bears a “striking resemblance” to the Parachute Regiment’s insignia.
The owner of the Maiden Heaven Gelato shop, Mohamed Ali, said on Facebook that he is working to change the logo and “never would have knowingly” used it.
“It has been brought to my attention over the last few days by few good friends that the logo for Maiden Heaven coffee shop and ice cream bears a striking resemblance to the Parachute Regiment insignia,” he said.
As noted by the Irish Independent, Ali apologised for any offence caused by the use of the logo, adding that he hadn’t “realised the similarity” before choosing the image.
“Given the history of this city and the fact that the Parachute Regiment shot dead innocent people on the streets of Derry, I would never have knowingly used a logo that would offend or hurt the people of this city that I love and the city that has been my home over the last 15 years,” he continued.
“I am working now to change this. And sorry if anyone was offended by this logo and colour, I would never have used it to promote my business had I realised the similarity.”
The insignia is a controversial symbol in the city of Derry due to the events of Bloody Sunday in which soldiers in the British Army’s Parachute Regiment were responsible for killing 14 innocent civilians.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
