25 February 1999 Edition

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Row over B Specials gun club

A row has erupted over plans to lease Bangor borough's gym to the Ulster Special Constabulary's gun club.

The council has been criticised for the way in which it has excluded both the public and the media from the debate on the issue and its intention to exclude them from the meeting of the full council.

The Ulster Special Constabulary gun clubs were formed in 1970 when the infamous B Specials were disbanded after British government reports unmasked them as being a sectarian force. This, however, was not before they were viewed by the world's media assisting loyalists in attacking civil rights marchers while both on and off duty. This link with loyalist groups has never been eroded, causing fear among nationalists throughout the years as to why they need such gun clubs.

The Bangor branch has been leasing the gym for the past 20 years. However, local politicians believe that it is now time that the gym was put to a better use which would serve all of the community.

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland