Equality Commission may be called on in relation to Council's United Ireland Working Group

A South Down councillor is threatening to go to the Equality Commission over claims unionists have been ignored over the establishment of a united Ireland working group.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has now ratified a motion to establish the working group to consult on uniting the island of Ireland.

But Cllr Henry Reilly says he is “not happy” about the move.

Bringing the motion forward, Slieve Gullion rep Barra Ó Muirí had encouraged the council to join Derry and Strabane and Belfast to initiate a process to talks on reunification.

He said: “There is now a real need for a one island approach that has been clearly demonstrated by the Covid pandemic.

“Brexit has also been highly damaging for the island.

“The Good Friday Agreement allows for a unity referendum.

“The type of Ireland in the future needs to be spelt out, it should be a new Ireland for everybody, no ideology should be diminished.

“Unionists have to realise that there is nothing to be feared, it is good to talk.”

However, as the motion was ratified by full council this week Mournes rep, Henry Reilly put forward his intentions to raise unionist concerns to the anti-discrimination body.

He said: “There has been no serious consideration given to us (unionists) on this.

“We are definitely not happy about the Irish Unity working group.

“If this is as far as we can go with this in council, we will have to go to the Equality Commission.”