Sinn Féin elected representatives absent as 200 attend Newry People’s Forum

A community meeting organised to raise issues and share ideas on improving Newry City saw elected representatives from SDLP, the Alliance Party and even the DUP in attendance last week, but despite being the largest party in the Newry City DEA (4 out of 6) in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, having the most MLA's (3 out of 5) and the only MP in the Newry and Armagh constituency, Newry.ie understands that not one Sinn Fein elected representative was there on the night

The newly formed group Newry People's Forum met on Thursday last 8 October in the Canal Court Hotel. Around 200 people were in attendance at the meeting including members of the public and representatives from community groups and businesses. Newry BID and Newry Chamber of Commerce were also represented. The event was based on challenges faced in the city, including Daisy Hill Hospital, Council accountability, dereliction and the night time economy. Discussion then moved on to a vision for the city which saw canal and waterfront regeneration, tourism and events and infrastructure improvements at the top of the list. Lastly the meeting focused on solutions including community empowerment, investment and governance reform.

Newry.ie understands that elected representatives were invited in an observational role only and that as well as those in attendance a UUP representative sent their apologies. 

We asked Sinn Féin for comment on Monday regarding their absence but have received no reply to date.

Newry People's Forum describes itself as an independent, non-party-political group set up to give the people of Newry a stronger voice. It exists to encourage constructive dialogue between residents, businesses, community and voluntary organisations, and the bodies responsible for the city's future.