Sinn Fein office ‘glorification of terrorists’

Sinn Fein office ‘glorification of terrorists’

24 February 2021

THE Equality Commission has been asked to rule on whether it is appropriate for South Down MP Chris Hazzard’s Sinn Fein constituency office to be named after two IRA terrorists.

The issue has been raised with the Commission’s chief, Geraldine McGahey, by Slieve Croob councillor Alan Lewis.

He has asked her to make a ruling on the issue given that the MP’s office in Castlewellan is funded with public money and displays signage “honouring the memory” of Peter McNulty and Peter Magorrian.

Cllr Lewis said while conscious that the naming of the office has been in the news for some time, the issue for many people in South Down, in particular those who have been the victims of crime, has not gone away.

He claimed that the office signage stands as an “ever-present insult to the memory of their loved ones and a glorification of terrorists who bombed, shot and maimed their way around the constituency”.

Cllr Lewis it is not within his gift to simply ignore what he described as a “blatant attempt to glorify terrorism”, with Sinn Fein insisting that the services that the Castlewellan office provides are widely used by people from across the local community and political spectrum.

He declared: “The majority of ordinary, decent, law abiding residents consider the MP’s office to be out of bounds as they rightfully see its naming as an abhorrent abuse of power and not in keeping with the values and responsibilities which come with his elected position.

“The office has been named after terrorists Peter McNulty and Paul Magorrian, both of whom are recorded on the IRA’s roll of honour.

McNulty blew himself up in January 1972 while attempting to bomb Castlewellan police station, while Magorrian was shot by an army unit as he lay in wait to ambush them at Bunkers Hill, also in Castlewellan in August 1974. 

“The circumstances of their deaths are neither debatable or relevant with both men described in republican circles as having died on active service.”

Cllr Lewis said the Equality Commission seeks to provide protection to individuals against discrimination on the grounds of political opinion.

He said the organisation has responsibilities arising from the 1998 Northern Ireland Act in respect of the statutory equality and good relations duties which apply to public authorities.

He said it was his contention that Mr Hazzard is paid, funded and supported from the public purse in his role as an elected MP, arguing that his office and duties should fall under the remit of the Commission and the NI Act.

“As an MP, Mr Hazzard’s constituency office should be, like any public place, free from paramilitary regalia and an open and neutral environment,” said Cllr Lewis, referring to comments from previous Commissioner, Michael Wardlow, who said on BBC Radio Ulster that the Castlewellan constituency office “had identified some emblems and symbols which could be considered sensitive, such as football shirts or paramilitary regalia”.

The Slieve Croob councillor added: “This clearly demonstrates that items linked to paramilitarism are considered under the remit which the Equality Commission should consider. It must not add its name to the long list of public bodies who have ignored this issue.” 

A Sinn Fein spokesman said Mr Hazzard’s office provided a first-class constituency service to everyone in South Down “without fear or favour”.

He said the services provided at the Castlewellan office were widely used by people from across the political spectrum and local community.

“We will continue to provide those services to all who require them,” the spokesman added.