29 May 1997 Edition
Garvaghy residents have mandate
Breandan MacCionnaith and Joe Duffy of the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition (GRRC) have called on Orange Order and Unionist political representatives to recognise their democratic mandate and enter into dialogue to try and resolve the marching issue in Portadown this year.
MacCionnaith pulled out a remarkable 1,493 votes in Portadown town, over 200 votes higher than the UUP's front runner, showing without doubt that he is the representative of the town's nationalist people.
Welcoming the recent talks between UUP and SDLP leaders David Trimble and John Hume he added that himself and Joe Duffy are elected councillors for the nationalist people, specifically the Garvaghy Road residents and ``those who would call themselves defenders of democracy should now recognise the integrity of the ballot box and enter into immediate dialogue on the marching issue. Nationalists are no longer prepared to accept such isolation or marginalisation, but are determined to achieve equality and justice.''
Councillor Duffy said, ``We wish to pay tribute to the Nationalist electorate who gave us a tremendous mandate on 21 May. They are a first class people who deserve first class treatment''.
MacCionnaith pulled out a remarkable 1,493 votes in Portadown town, over 200 votes higher than the UUP's front runner, showing without doubt that he is the representative of the town's nationalist people.
Welcoming the recent talks between UUP and SDLP leaders David Trimble and John Hume he added that himself and Joe Duffy are elected councillors for the nationalist people, specifically the Garvaghy Road residents and ``those who would call themselves defenders of democracy should now recognise the integrity of the ballot box and enter into immediate dialogue on the marching issue. Nationalists are no longer prepared to accept such isolation or marginalisation, but are determined to achieve equality and justice.''
Councillor Duffy said, ``We wish to pay tribute to the Nationalist electorate who gave us a tremendous mandate on 21 May. They are a first class people who deserve first class treatment''.