Lisburn Council cosies up to RIR

Lisburn Sinn Féin councillor Paul Butler has contacted An Phoblacht to express his outrage over a decision by Lisburn Council to grant the sectarian Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) permission to include the council's coat of arms on a regimental banner.

"By allowing this type of association with the RIR, Lisburn Council is providing more proof that it is truly a cold house for Catholics", said Butler.

The Sinn Féin councillor also expressed concern that the decision to allow the RIR, which he termed a "sectarian force", permission to use the council's coat of arms, had been based on the recommendation of the Chief Executive.

The issue arose when Captain Graham Given, President of the Pipes and Drums of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment, wrote to Lisburn Council asking for permission to use the coat of arms.

This request went to the council's Corporate Services Committee, with the recommendation from the Chief Executive that the request "be acceded to" as on "previous occasions the council has approved the use of the council's coat of arms" on RIR banners.

"The perception will go out that the Chief Executive and his officers on Lisburn Council are bringing recommendations to the council that are in keeping with a unionist agenda, especially as the unionists just rubber stamp these recommendations", concluded Butler.