Castlederg Ulster Unionist Councillor, Derek Hussey has called on the Parades Commission to ban an IRA commemoration parade planned for Sunday 11th August, pointing out that this is ‘simply a question of right or wrong’.
Mr Hussey said;
“The Tyrone Commemoration Committee/Sinn Fein parade planned to be held in Castlederg on 11th August has provoked a reaction in the local community unlike anything I have seen in many years.
“This event should be banned from taking place in Castlederg. It has been suggested that The Parades Commission cannot ban but only place restrictions on events. I believe the Parades Commission, if it has any morality, ought to place a complete restriction on this event. If Commissioners are not in a position to do so they should refer the issue to the Chief Constable and Secretary of State immediately as there is no doubt that they retain such powers.
“I must stress that opposition to this IRA commemoration does not enter the realms of Orange/Green etc. Rather it is quite simply a question of right or wrong.
“This event seeks to encompass the areas where many IRA atrocities occurred - directly passing three terrorist murders sites, dozens of bombing sites and our Town’s Cenotaph. This is wrong.
“I cannot imagine the Sovereign Government of The United States of America allowing a `Twin Towers bombers’ commemoration at Ground Zero.’ This is no different!
“Evidence which will be presented to the Parades Commission today when it meets to consider the IRA commemoration parade, will clearly depict the desolation that was repeatedly wreaked upon our entire community - whether it is at The Diamond, John Street, Main Street, Ferguson Crescent, Castlefin Road, Lurganbuoy Road etc.
“Is this what the organisers of this event wish to commemorate? Is this their best attempt at 'reconciliation'?
“Whilst recognising the primacy of those innocent victims of terrorism in our area, we must also remember that those many attacks on businesses were against their owners, their families, their customers and the entire community.
“The depth and width of community revulsion against this event is beyond anything that I have ever experienced previously - Churches, Sports organisations, Businesses, Political Parties - now aligning with the innocent victims of terrorism in absolute opposition to the glorification of terrorism on streets where terrorism brought so much death, destruction and misery to the people of Castlederg.
“I urge the Parades Commission to recognise the position of right on the side of those opposed to the 11th August Tyrone Volunteers event in Castlederg, and determine completely against the wrong being perpetrated by its' organisers.
“To do otherwise would be a travesty for those Castlederg people who lost so much at the hands of terrorists.”