TUV flag row disrupts new meeting

Published Monday, 13 June 2011

A meeting of Limavady Borough Council was suspended for a second time in less than a week after a TUV councillor brought a small Union flag into the chamber in protest against the Sinn Féin mayor.

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Flag disruption
Flag controversy

The meeting was put on hold for an hour on Monday evening after Boyd Douglas displayed the flag despite the council's strict no-flags policy.

Councillor Douglas said he objects to the appointment of Sean McGlinchey as mayor of the borough council.

Mr McGlinchey served 18 years for the murder of six people in an IRA car bombing in Coleraine in 1973.

"It's unlikely I will have any good working relationship with Sean McGlinchey," said Mr Douglas.

"He's a man who's frowned upon by the unionist electorate of Limavady."

Mr Douglas told UTV it was a "difficult time" for the people of the area.

"Sunday was the anniversary of the bomb in Coleraine 38 years ago when six people were blown to pieces and many others injured. I was very sympathetic in what I said bearing in mind the loss to those families."

The meeting resumed after Mr Douglas agreed to take down the flag.

But the TUV councillor said he could not guarantee it will not be produced in the chamber again.

"I will hold the right to fly the flag when I feel I want to. I will not be using the flag in any flippant way, but when I feel it is promoting my cause."

During the hour-long suspension, Sinn Féin sought legal advice. Mr McGlinchey says he cannot rule out seeking further guidance.

"The issue is still outstanding," he told UTV. "Councillor Douglas did state he would put the flag up at any meeting any time that he wished.

"We are trying to build working relationships for the better of everybody."

Comments

35 Comments

Jackie in Belfast wrote (343 days ago):

Lorna 15.41 15th June - Totally agree well said! All the dastardly deeds the IRA committed must be forgotten if they say they were mistakes. Shame on the lot of them.

John in Newry wrote (344 days ago):

Stupid smirk on his face like a teenager who has just pulled a girl for the 1st time and a half-baked attempt at an interview which highlights no intellectual capacity at all. But he looks happy with himself that for the 2nd time on the trot he has ground Limavady council to a halt, stopping any progression on issues like unemployment or health. But i'm sure that's the mandate he was elected on................

lorna in limavady wrote (344 days ago):

Seamus and all others who refuse to understand Boyd's objection. First you say Mr McGLINCHEY was young when he drove the car into Coleraine. I know teenagers whose father was murdered but that didn't make them do likewise Then he has said sorry, claiming it was a mistake. He well knew when he drove the car into that town .many would be killed or was he that young when thinking that placing a bomb there would not kill anyone ? A PRIMARY SCHOOL KID WOULD KNOW . BOMBS HURT AND KILL Third he drove that bomb into a Protestant town to kill who ? PROTESTANTS NO LESS ! SO IF ALL HE HAS TO SUFFER IS THE SIGHT OF A FLAG HE SHOULD THINK OF THE VICTIMS FOR SORRY DOES NOT BRING THE DEAD BACK LIFE

Séamus in Bun Abhann Dalla wrote (344 days ago):

Lorna i was not complaining about the size of the flag! It was not a PROPER flag-it was like something a child would draw,but then maybe that was appropriate judging by Mr Douglas's behaviour

marty in brisbane wrote (344 days ago):

The might of the TUV! a tiny flag. This is them at the top of there game and its still just a joke. he couldn't even give a good response to the media. I feel so embarrassed and sorry for the rate payers and population of limavady. this is the kind of behaviour that puts off business investment that's desperately needed in the west.

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