Anger mounts at Guildhall IRA event
Unionist anger continues to grow over plans to hold an event commemorating members of the IRA who died during the Troubles in the Guildhall.
Earlier this week, the 'Journal' revealed the plans to hold the annual Derry Volunteers Commemoration dance in the Guildhall in October. The news sparked anger among the unionist community in Derry and across the North with many unionist politicians describing the move as "an insult."
Attacked
In previous years the dance has been held in hotels but this is the first time the event will be held in the Guildhall - a venue which was attacked by the IRA on several occasions during the Troubles.
Ulster Unionist Party Alderman Mary Hamilton sad she understood the grief of republicans at losing family members but said the event should not be held in the Guildhall.
"As someone who has been affected by the violence of the IRA I feel deeply hurt and insulted by this and so will many others.
I fully realise that they lost family, friends, and relatives in the Troubles but it's unacceptable that they should be holding a celebration in the Guildhall," she said.
Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister said the decision will increase feelings of alienation among Derry's protestant minority.
"The minority community in Londonderry will rightly feel grossly affronted by this. How can they feel part of a city when an organisation which slaughtered their loved ones is permitted to use council property for such a function?" he asked
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Weather for Derry
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 8 C
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Wind direction: West
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