Write a commentA motion proposed to be heard at the April meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council has been called "a deliberate attempt to create community tension" by Newry and Armagh MP, Mickey Brady.
The motion to be brought by Councillors Henry Reilly, David Taylor, William Walker, Jill Macauley, Garth Craig, Glyn Hanna, Robert Burgess and Harry Harvey at the meeting on 9 April states "That this council removes the name Raymond McCreesh from the Newry, Mourne and Down Council play facility presently of that name."
Speaking on the motion Mr Brady said "This park was named after local hungerstriker, Raymond McCreesh, in 2001 through the democratically expressed wishes of the residents of Ballybot in Newry. That view was endorsed by Council and received no complaints or objections until 2007 when the local Orange Order made an issue of Raymond's name. Since then the decision has been through numerous Equality Commission and legal procedures which have found that the Council acted correctly in respecting the democratic wishes of the community.
"The Ballybot community have been demonised for more than 10 years by unionists politicians and commentators for honouring those who took part in the strugggle for freedom in Ireland. The park is bordered by Michael Mallon Park, James Connolly Park and John Martin Street and Gardens, all named after Irish patriots. Other public spaces in Newry have been named after those from a British and Unionist tradition, without objection from local communities.
"This latest attempt, led by Cllr Henry Reilly, to trample over the will of the Ballybot community should be recognised by all councillors as a deliberate attempt to stir community tensions. I would appeal to the Council to respect the view of the overwhelming majority of the residents of Ballybot that the park which serves their community should retain the name of Raymond McCresh."
