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DEMAND FOR REMOVAL OF RAYMOND MC CREESH NAME FROM LOCAL NEWRY PARK BY ORANGE ORDER DESCRIBED AS DISAPPOINTING

Newry City Sinn Féin Councillor Brendan Curran has described the demand by Newry LOL Number 9 to rename the current local Play area in Patrick Street as deeply disappointing and a gross insult to the vast majority of people in the area who supported the naming of the Park after Hunger Striker Raymond Mc Creesh.

Councillor Curran explained that the matter had come to light at a meeting today in the Council Chamber. “The Newry Orange Order in their demand to the Council referred to Raymond Mc Creesh as a “convicted terrorist” and said that if the small Play area remained named after the Hunger Striker, then our Council effectively was reinforcing that Newry was a cold house for the Protestant community. That is grossly misleading, indeed the deliberate use of what many of the community that I represent view as grossly insulting terminology, is all very sad. Just a short time ago people from the very community that avail of the Play facility, actually took it on themselves to help secure the local Altnaveigh Orange Hall which had been attacked and vandalised. The Orange Order in Newry is clearly stating to the vast majority of residents in the Patrick Street, and greater Ballybot area that their views do not count. On the one hand the Orange Order insists on the recognition of their historical, cultural and civic rights, and on the other they completely refuse to allow the same principals for nationalists and republicans” said Councillor Curran.

His colleague Councillor Charlie Casey said that he shared the anger of many of the residents at the news of the revelations. “The local community have fought long and hard to have this Play area developed and maintained. There is now a deep resentment that the Orange Order should use the facility to stir up division. The rationale of the Orange Orders argument means that places like Needham Bridge and Bagnells Castle should also be renamed. I am aware that the Equality Commission are now examining the Raymond Mc Creesh Park issue and I would expect that they will now also look at names of all other locations”.

Meanwhile Fews area Councillor Pat mc Ginn has said that the Orange Order and their spokespeople have remained very silent about Granite View Play area near Saval. “This Children’s Play area, catering for a mixed housing estate, is festooned with over 10 Unionist and Loyalist flags and emblems. There has been a deafly silence from the Loyal Orders and Unionist leaders as to the impact that these flags are having on many within that local community”.

Sinn Féin’s Noel Sheridan, Mayor of Armagh City and District Council

Armagh City and District Councillor Noel Sheridan has been elected to be Mayor of Armagh City and District Council. New elected Mayor with fellow councilors, Conor Murphy MP/MLA, and Cathal Boylan MLA

Describing his election as a great honour, the Sinn Féin Councillor said that in his role he would be committed to working to deliver as best as practically possible for all communities, for citizens, and in particular for the most disadvantaged.

"The challenges of change and progress are many. We must work together, ag obair le chéile and move forward together, ar aghaidh le chéile, as we endeavour to build safer, healthier, happier communities" said Noel.

"It is a great honour for me to be elected by Sinn Féin as Mayor of Armagh City and District Council. I accept this position fully aware of the responsibility and expectations that it carries. I am proud to be an Irish Republican. I want to see a re-united Ireland created by peaceful and democratic means. I want to see the unity of the Orange and the Green. That is my political ideology, my beliefs, and my vision."

"There is much hurt within every section of our community. People have lost loved ones and many others have been injured in the course of the conflict.

"Together, we must face the challenge of ending the divisions and old hatred in our society, and helping to ensure and encourage reconciliation and healing for all where practically possible.

"We all have our part to play to end the divisions and old hatreds, not only here in Armagh City and District but throughout our island. That means pro-actively tackling the scourge of sectarianism. Difference in our past meant division. In the future we need to ensure that difference isn't seen as a threat but instead as something to cherish and celebrate.

"We want to live free of crime and in an atmosphere of safety and well-being. All our people want to feel safe in their homes. We want proper social and affordable housing, full and accessible health care facilities and decent sporting recreational and leisure facilities. The ratepayers of Armagh City and District Council all want value for our money, openness and transparency in all Council affairs.

"We need to start talking to each other and not at each other. And we as political leaders must take the lead, particularly here in this Council Chamber. As Mayor I will be extending the hand of friendship to all and I hope that this is accepted in the spirit that I give it, an open heart and an open mind."