DUP campaigner unrepentant over 'taig' Facebook posts

THE DUP MP's Upper Bann election worker who described Sinn Féin candidate Catherine Seeley as a “tramp” and Catholics as “Taigs” is unrepentant and has refused to apologise.

The DUP claim that Roberta McNally from Lurgan – who is also Chair of the Lurgan branch of the Royal British Legion armed forces charity – is not a party member. But she signed the nomination papers for DUP candidate David Simpson, who is pictured with his arm around her in one of many campaign photographs in which she features.

McNally sparked anger with her Facebook post (since deleted) that said:

“Unionists attacking unionists on social media, Taigs must love it!!”

● Sinn Féin's Upper Bann candidate, Catherine Seeley

Sinn Féin candidate Catherine Seeley – hounded out of her teaching post at the Belfast Boys’ Model Secondary School in the unionist Ballysillan area of north Belfast last year by a campaign of intimidation by the hardline Protestant Coalition – then became the target of the DUP campaigner.

Referring to the controversy caused last week when the DUP Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon refused to have his photo taken with Sinn Féin Deputy Mayor Seeley, the prominent DUP supporter called Catherine a “tramp”.

Catherine Seeley challenged the campaigner and the DUP, including MP David Simpson:

“These comments are not acceptable by any measure, not least by someone in her position within the British Legion or as a member of David Simpson's DUP Westminster election campaign team.

“I call for the comments to be immediately withdrawn. I also call for the DUP and David Simpson to make their position clear in relation to such sectarian language.”