Write a commentThe decision by the new shadow council to adopt the previous working title for the new super council (i.e. Newry, Mourne and Down) has provoked anger from south Armagh councillors.
Slieve Gullion area Sinn Féin Councillor Terry Hearty has said that the excluding of the entire south Armagh district from the new Council name would be viewed by most who lived there as a very deliberate snub.
"All Sinn Féin elected representatives supported the Newry City, Mourne & Gullion proposal. We felt that this name reflected the entire region that we serve and also give recognition to Newry as the principal City. There is no ryhme or reason as to why in particular the SDLP have deliberately snubbed our area".
His colleague Cllr Barra Ó Muirí commenting on what he described was a disgraceful decision said "Those who live here, work here, invested in and promoted this area are rightly angry. South Armagh has once again been cast aside".
Meanwhile Cllr Mickey Larkin said that questions about how £30,000 was spent to come up with a name which was the name that already existed would have to be asked.
"This consultation exercise now seems a complete and utter waste of ratepayers money. From the outset it had been agreed that the one name that wouldn't be put forward was the name given to the shadow Council, Newry Mourne & Down, the name that now has had been chosen by the majority SDLP and Unionist bloc".
Sinn Féin South Armagh elected representative Roisin Mulgrew voicing her anger explained
"Throughout all workshops it was recognised that investment in tourism was the most realistic way to generate employment and investment, Gullion has been a success story in terms of tourism and our name included the two areas of outstanding beauty which the new council hoped to build on.The exclusion of an entire region of this new Council area has detached and isolated many who day and daily are working to ensure its well being and sustainability"
