8 March 2001 Edition
Flag flying in Newtownabbey
Sinn Féin Glengormley representative Roisin McGurk has blasted the decision by Newtownabbey Borough Council to fly the Union flag outside their buildings 365 days a year as a sectarian two fingers to the nationalist community.
At the council's monthly meeting held last week a proposal in line with current legislation, which would have restricted the flying of the union flag to designated days within the year, was rejected by the unionist controlled council.
A new flag policy had been adopted by the council's Policy and Resources committee in February but was rejected by the full council meeting. Instead, the council opted to retain its practice of flying the Union flag every day of the year.
Roisin McGurk accused unionist councillors of living in the dark ages and said that the interests of nationalists living within the borough had been ignored. McGurk said the council may be facing a possible legal challenge of discrimination. ``Flying the union flag is a sectarian practice and should be abandoned. It is a disgrace that the council have continued with this practice when the union flag is such an offensive symbol to the nationalists in the town.''
Meanwhile Sinn Féin has announced the party's candidates for the forthcoming local elections. Joining Roisin McGurk will be Kevin Vernon and Breige Meehan.
At the council's monthly meeting held last week a proposal in line with current legislation, which would have restricted the flying of the union flag to designated days within the year, was rejected by the unionist controlled council.
A new flag policy had been adopted by the council's Policy and Resources committee in February but was rejected by the full council meeting. Instead, the council opted to retain its practice of flying the Union flag every day of the year.
Roisin McGurk accused unionist councillors of living in the dark ages and said that the interests of nationalists living within the borough had been ignored. McGurk said the council may be facing a possible legal challenge of discrimination. ``Flying the union flag is a sectarian practice and should be abandoned. It is a disgrace that the council have continued with this practice when the union flag is such an offensive symbol to the nationalists in the town.''
Meanwhile Sinn Féin has announced the party's candidates for the forthcoming local elections. Joining Roisin McGurk will be Kevin Vernon and Breige Meehan.