Ulster Unionist Councillor David Taylor has expressed his deep anger and disappointment at the failure of a majority of elected representatives serving on Newry, Mourne & Down District Council to support a motion submitted by Unionist representatives calling for the removal of the name of Raymond McCreesh from the play park facility in Newry.
Councillor Taylor said:
“I am extremely angry and disappointed at tonight’s deplorable failure by Newry, Mourne & Down District Council to resolve the issue created by the naming of a children’s play park after Raymond McCreesh.
“This latest snub is a further blow to innocent victims of Republican violence who have already had to endure significant hurt and pain as a consequence of this ongoing issue.
“The failure to support the motion brought by Unionist councillors provides a worrying insight into what I can only describe as a narrow sectarian mind-set of Republican and Nationalist representatives serving on Newry, Mourne & Down District Council.
“Once again they have failed to properly address the very legitimate concerns of innocent victims and indeed the minority Unionist community on the Raymond McCreesh Park issue.
“Faced with a straight choice between doing the right thing on this matter, to search their consciences and take a moral stand against the naming of a public facility after a convicted terrorist, they failed.
“In choosing not to acknowledge the genuine concerns that exist, and the deep hurt caused, they are re-traumatising victims and placing further significant strain on community relations.
“Despite all the rhetoric coming from Republicans in particular about equality and respect, it is clear that they have absolutely no respect for the innocent victims of terrorist violence, nor have they any intention of ever providing equality to members of the minority Unionist community.
“This is a very sorry situation we now find ourselves in. It is quite clear that Republican and Nationalist representatives on Newry, Mourne & Down District Council have no desire to sign up to the concept of a truly shared society and that is a damning indictment on them and the Council itself.”