Write a commentA Unionist attempt to suspend standing orders at the monthly meeting of Newry and Mourne District Council tonight in order to debate once again the naming of Raymond McCreesh Park in Newry failed when the motion was rejected.
SDLP councillors voted in favour of suspending the standing orders of the council to allow a reconsideration of the naming of the Park but despite this, the proposal failed with 15 votes against to 14 for.
Carr - "A desire to heal our divided society"
Speaking after the vote, SDLP Group Leader Michael Carr said “The naming of a public space, and especially a children’s park, in this way is something which has clearly caused considerable hurt to victims and survivors as well as the broader unionist and nationalist communities.
“We also recognise the hurt experienced by the McCreesh family and the pain this protracted situation will have caused them. We do not, in any way, want to add to that. The party politics played around these issues continues to open wounds that we should all be working to repair.
“The SDLP decision to back the renaming of the park isn’t about any individual. It is influenced by a desire to heal our divided society by moving on from tribal conflicts of the past. Peace and reconciliation isn’t just the absence of violence, it’s a fundamental shift in mindset and approaches to politics.
“It is unfortunate that other parties opposed a suspension of standing orders to allow this matter to be reconsidered. The SDLP is clear, no public space should be named after anyone involved in state or paramilitary violence. We will continue in pursuance of that policy.”
Kimmins hopes "Issue was now resolved"
Newry City Sinn Féin Councillor Liz Kimmins also commented on the vote saying she hoped the issue was now resolved
"Sinn Féin are content that this outcome reflects the support for the naming of this park after Raymond McCreesh," she said.
"We hope that this will be the end of this issue and the council can now move on.
"Our position on this issue has always been consistent. We and the vast majority of people from the area believe that the name of Raymond McCreesh Park should remain unchanged.
"The Park was named in 2001 under the tutelage of a council dominated by unionists and the SDLP. Council procedure was fully followed and surveys taken by the Council indicated a clear support for the Raymond McCreesh name.
"In the seven year period from the naming of the park in 2001 until 2008, no unionist councillors, SDLP councillors or members of the public raised any concerns or complaints over the decision. In 2008 the Newry District Loyal Orange Lodge, which is not located in the vicinity of the park, made a complaint.
"That complaint was investigated by the council and it found, after much deliberation, that the name should be retained. Since then there has been a very focused and nasty campaign to demonise this area and its community.
"How many times must the people of Ballybot voice their support for the naming of the park? How many times must Sinn Fein have to come into this council and stand up for the wishes of those people? This issue has been debated and decided on many times. The wishes of the public are clear. Dragging it up again and again serves no purpose other than to hold up other council business."
Private Members Bill
Tonights vote follows the launch of a private members bill by Unionist MLA Tom Elliott to introduce legislation aimed at prohibiting any publicly funded facility or entity being named after anyone who has been convicted of a terrorist related offence or membership of a proscribed organisation.
Kennedy "I fully support Tom Elliot's Bill"
Commenting on the launch Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kennedy said “As we have seen as a result of the ongoing saga of McCreesh Park in my own Newry & Armagh constituency, the naming of public entities after terrorists can be extremely hurtful to victims, damage community relations and cause great community tensions.
“This is why I fully support Tom Elliott’s Bill and I would urge people to participate in the consultation process which begins today.
“This legislation will no doubt be fiercely resisted by those who want to re-write history and defend the indefensible, but the Ulster Unionist Party is in no doubt that this is the right thing to do.
“We are adamant that anyone convicted of terrorist offences, whether loyalist or republican, should not have publicly funded entities named after them. If we are to build a truly shared future then it is clear to me that we must not commemorate those who caused so much pain and hurt in the past."
