Tough line is needed on parade
INDEPENDENT councillor Martin Connolly has deservedly earned notoriety for his despicable failure to condemn a bomb attack on his niece, a police officer.
The attack was in Kilkeel at the weekend and it was a miracle the young police officer and her baby daughter were not murdered by dissident republicans.
Now Mr Connolly is planning to parade through Kilkeel this Sunday as a member of the controversial St Patrick's Flute Band.
Two other bands which take part in the parade cooperate with the relevant authorities but the Parades Commission has already placed heavy restrictions on St Patrick's band.
People from all sections of the community in Kilkeel were incensed by the stance of Mr Connolly, and politicians on both sides have said the band should not be allowed to take part in the parade.
Mr Connolly exacerbated the situation yesterday, when he said that while he did not condone the attack on his niece, being an Irish republican he would not condemn any Irishman or Irishwoman for doing something to try to end partition in Ireland.
In a welcome move, neighbours of the targeted PSNI officer are organising a protest to show her their support.
Mr Connolly needs to be left in no doubt that the people of the area think his position is disgusting and his weasel words are a throwback to a past that most people have consigned to the rubbish bin of history.
The Parades Commission must act decisively and prevent the band and the pathetic Mr Connolly from walking the streets of a town which has suffered so much from terrorism down the decades.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Belfast
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
