Write a commentLocal political representatives, Danny Kennedy MLA and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Cllr David Taylor have welcomed the decision by the NI Equality Commission to refer the naming of Raymond McCreesh Park back to Newry, Mourne & Down District Council.
In a joint statement they said it represented "a significant u turn by the Commission, which although belated, was still welcome".
In a statement Mr Kennedy said "The Ulster Unionist Party at all levels has consistently opposed the naming of this children's play park after the convicted terrorist Raymond McCreesh and we have long campaigned and sought to have that decision overturned".
"We look forward to the Council as quickly as possible overturning and changing for good the disgraceful and offensive decision taken originally by NMDC and we are confident that there is a clear potential majority on the current Council to make that change if the political will is there."
Cllr David Taylor, the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party grouping on the Council said "There is now a clear onus on all of the members of Newry, Mourne & Down District Council to "do the right thing" and change the name of this play park to something more appropriate and acceptable. I very much hope that Council members, particularly from the Nationalist community, will now take the opportunity to deal with this issue once and for all".
The Equality Commission, at its meeting on 29 June 2016, rescinded the decision by which it had accepted that a review by Newry and Mourne District Council of the naming of McCreesh Park in Newry, had complied with a recommendation made by the Commission following an Investigation of the matter.
In March 2014, the Equality Commission, following an Investigation under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act, recommended that the Council review the decision to name the play park. The Commission recommended that this be done in a transparent manner that took proper account of the legal obligations to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity and regard to the desirability of promoting good relations.
The Council did conduct a review and voted to retain the name of the Park. In March 2015 the Commission, while expressing its disappointment with the decision to retain the name, accepted that the review had complied with the recommendation made by the Commission.
Following the granting of leave to apply for Judicial Review proceedings of that decision in April 2016, the Commission has given further consideration to all the relevant matters and the arguments raised in that application. Upon this further consideration the Commission has concluded that the Council has not fully complied with the recommendation, specifically around transparency, and has rescinded the decision challenged in the judicial review application.
The Commission has advised the Council of this and recommended that, to ensure transparency, the Council debate and vote on this issue should be conducted in public and properly recorded and that Councillors should be provided with a qualitative analysis of the consultation responses prior to that debate and vote.
