Playground Named After Hungerstriker

A children’s playground in Newry is to be named after a former IRA hungerstriker.

The decision came following a meeting on Monday during which nationalist councillors in Newry and Mourne voted for the proposal.

The Patrick Street play area will now be known as Raymond McCreesh Park. McCreesh died in the Maze prison in 1981 after 61 days on hunger strike.

Twenty nationalist councillors, including two independents, voted for the proposal, while five councillors, one DUP, three UUP and 1 UKIP, voted against.

SDLP councillor Frank Feely abstained.

In a statement Newry and Mourne Council said: "In so doing council formally acknowledge that the decision to rename the play park had potential to adversely impact upon good relations between people of different religious belief and political opinion."

Newry and Armagh Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kennedy condemned the decision.

"I have no doubt that this decision will damage community relations across the local area," he said.

"Raymond McCreesh was a terrorist who was convicted of attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, possession of firearms with intent to endanger life and IRA membership. To compound that, the Armalite rifle he was caught with was linked to a string of murders including the Kingsmills massacre.

"This is not ancient history, the wounds are still very raw, and were compounded by the fact that less than two days ago a memorial to the victims of Kingsmills was vandalised whilst under construction and the letters IRA were inscribed into it.

"Sinn Fein’s record with regard to violence is well known, but many in the wider community expected better of the SDLP. Last night they were put to the test in Newry & Mourne and they failed."

He added: "I honestly cannot think of anyone less deserving of commemoration in any shape or form than Raymond McCreesh, but to seek to rename a children’s playground named after this man is an absolute disgrace and those who voted for this should hang their heads in shame."

(IT)