A Limerick homeowner’s use of holiday lights to make a statement against terrorism caught the attention of some residents – and prompted a visit from sheriff’s deputies.

The homeowner used lights to spell out the word “ISIS” – an apparent reference to the so-called Islamic State militant group – on what appeared to be a board placed near the ground floor of the house, a photo released by police shows. Perched above the display on the home’s deck, however, is a lit-up Santa Claus that appears to be urinating on the word ISIS, as illustrated by a stream of white lights.

A local resident or passer-by contacted the York County Sheriff’s Office and media outlets to express concerns that the homeowner might be an “ISIS sympathizer,” according to York County Sheriff William King.

“Sheriff’s deputies visited the home and the word ‘ISIS’ is lit up bright and clear. What is not so clear is that Santa Claus is ‘relieving’ himself on the words,” King said in a statement Saturday evening. “Deputies spoke with the homeowner explaining why the sheriff’s office took an interest in his holiday display and the homeowner stated he was going to rearrange the lights to clear up any doubts about his message.”

King stated in a subsequent email that “no law was broken and we did not tell him to take the lights down or to reconfigure anything.” He did not name the homeowner.


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