23/01/2008

Rowdy Scenes Over 'Neutral' Limavady

An initiative to "purge an Ulster town of Protestant emblems" has led to rowdy scenes last night at a council meeting.

Police were called to the scene outside the Limavady Council offices amid claims that a loyalist crowd verbally abused two Sinn Fein councillors.

Republican councillors wanted to remove items as trivial as a Charles and Diana mug from council offices as part of a bid to "neutralise" the town.

The trouble erupted minutes after a nationalist-dominated committee reached a stalemate with unionists over a proposal to remove British symbols.

A PSNI spokesman said officers responded to a report of a disturbance and assault at around 9.45pm.

Unionist councillors at the meeting claimed they did not see the alleged attack on Anne Brolly and Marion Donaghy – and one added the Sinn Fein councillors were "making a big deal" of any assault to distract from the issue discussed in the chamber.

A car belonging to one of the Sinn Fein councillors was said to have been scraped and draped with the Union Flag, according to an onlooker.

But, last night, nationalist members of the so-called 'Neutral Space Committee' said they would come back with "more options" later in the week.

A witness said that about 30 people outside the building shouted abuse at the Sinn Fein duo.

(BMcC)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

20 November 2007
Policing Partnership Meeting Abandoned
Sinn Fein's vote last January to back the PSNI and to nominate party representatives for seats on the N I Policing Board and the associated District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) for the first time, has proved to be easier to agree than to action.
10 May 2005
DUP and SF repeat Westminster election success
As counting in Northern Ireland’s council elections proceeded today, the DUP has virtually repeated its Westminster performance by strengthening its hand in local government. Ian Paisley’s party increased its number of seats with 182 councillors being elected, up 52 on 2001 election figures with a near 30% share of the vote.
01 February 2022
DUP Criticise 'Narrow Agenda' Of SF And SDLP Councillors
The DUP have criticised Sinn Féin and SDLP councillors in Mid Ulster after they blocked a motion which sought to organise a "programme of meaningful and respectful events" to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Mid Ulster MLA Keith Buchanan said that actions of Councillors in the region was "the latest example of Sinn Fein's disrespect towards
10 June 2011
Row As Sinn Fein 'Dominate Belfast'
There's a row developing today over emblems in Belfast City Hall mayor's parlour as royal pictures are sidelined by the nationalist first citizen. Despite promising an 'inclusive' approach, the newly elected Belfast Sinn Fein Mayor Cllr Niall Ó Donnghaile (pictured) has angered fellow councillors.
16 November 2007
Police Alert Politicans Over Threats
Two separate political parties in Northern Ireland are now under threat from different paramilitary organisations. Members of both the SDLP and Sinn Fein have been targeted and it is believed the threat to the SDLP comes from a well-known breakaway group of the Ulster Defence Association, (UDA).