19 July 2007 Edition

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Orangefest in briefs

Banner of UFF killer slammed

Sinn Féin South Belfast MLA Alex Maskey has joined with the families and victims of the Sean Graham’s bookmakers shop atrocity and other tragedies in calling for answers after a flag honouring a renowned loyalist and UFF killer was displayed during “Orangefest” in Belfast. He said: “This banner honouring a loyalist killer, behind the attack on Sean Graham’s bookie’s and other killings, which was carried through Belfast city centre last Thursday had the potential to raise tensions and certainly was an insult to all victims of loyalist violence. __
“Honouring a loyalist killer begs the question, how can this be justified? I welcome the Orange Order investigation into this matter and urge them to apologise for the hurt caused to these innocent victims. My party shall also be raising this issue with the Parades Commission.”

McGuinness to raise death threat

Sinn Féin First Minister Martin McGuinness has announced that he will contact local unionist and loyalist representatives and ask them to use any influence they have to tackle the death threat to a father whose son was named along with another youth on a Coleriane 11th night bonfire. McGuiness stated:
“Not only was the naming of two Catholic teenagers on a 11th night bonfire beyond contempt, but now for the father of one of the boys to relieve a death threat is inconceivable.
“Two of the boys named on the bonfire died recently and this form of sectarianism has no place in modern society. I have contacted Unionist and Loyalist representatives and believe this death threat must be withdrawn immediately.”

SF deplores destruction of Baptist church

Condemning the arson attack on the Baptist Church in Downpatrick, Sinn Féin MLA Caitríona Ruane said those responsible showed their absolute contempt for the local community. She stated:
“My thoughts are with the Baptist community in Downpatrick who will be devastated by the destruction of their church. What happened in Downpatrick at the weekend is wrong and unacceptable.”
Cllr Willie Clarke MLA echoed Ruane’s comments and said that the arson attack was an attempt to raise tensions at the height of the marching season.
“Everyone has a right to practice their religion unhindered and this shameful attack on the Baptist community in Downpatrick in no way reflects the views of the vast majority of local people. At a time when we are attempting to reconcile people throughout the North there is a minority within both communities who are determined to raise sectarian tensions and I would like to offer Sinn Féin’s support for the Baptist community in Downpatrick.”
Newry and Armagh Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy commenting after reports of attacks on Orange halls at and Mallantur Orange in Armagh said that there can be no justification for such attacks on Orange Halls, and he has called for them to end. “Those responsible need to reflect long and hard upon their actions and ensure that this sort of sectarian behaviour is ended,” said the Sinn Féin MP.

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