Hundreds sign petition to have Guildhall Square named after John Hume

The petition was started by Emmet Doyle, a former SDLP council election candidate, who said it would be a fitting tribute to the late politician.

"Ireland’s Greatest, John Hume passed away on August 3, 2020. As a mark of our respect, appreciation and in light of his contribution to our City and to peace in Ireland, we, the people of the City and District are petitioning to have our main square renamed in his honour," the petition reads.

Under current Derry City and Strabane District Council policy it is not permissible to name council assets after political figures or people who have been dead less than three years.

However, this naming policy does not apply to city streets such as Guildhall Square or Shipquay Place as it is officially.

'John Hume Street' bid referred to committee

Two years ago a bid to rename a street in the heart of the capital in honour of the former SDLP leader failed.

Dublin City Council’s South East Area Committee (SEAC) blocked a proposal by Independent Councillor Mannix Flynn to rechristen Hume Street, which is adjacent to St. Stephen’s Green, the National Concert Hall, Dáil Éireann, Government Buildings, the National Gallery, the National Museum, O’Donoghue’s pub and the Shelbourne Hotel, after the iconic Derryman.

The street is named after the 18th century surgeon, Gustavus Hume.

The SEAC said, “John Hume should be honoured in an appropriate manner by DCC but [believed] that this particular proposal is insufficient”.