Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kennedy has welcomed the news that the Equality Commission is to undertake a formal investigation into Newry & Mourne Council’s decision to name a children’s playpark after a convicted IRA terrorist, Raymond McCreesh.
Mr Kennedy said:
“There is no doubt in my mind that the decision taken by the Sinn Fein and SDLP councillors in December to formally approve the naming of a children’s playpark after the IRA hunger-striker Raymond McCreesh, was deeply flawed, caused great offence and damaged community relations.
I said at the time that I honestly could not think of anyone less deserving of commemoration in any shape or form – let alone a children’s playpark - than Raymond McCreesh, and that those who voted for this should hang their heads in shame.
I am therefore delighted that the Equality Commission has reviewed the information made available to it following a complaint and is to investigate whether or not the Council complied with equality obligations including the need to have due regard to “the need to promote equality of opportunity across the nine equality groups, and to have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group."
I look forward to a speedy investigation and am confident the Commission will find that the decision taken by Sinn Fein and the SDLP in December was clearly wrong and that those councillors be held to account and take responsibility for their actions.”