Orange Lodge distances itself from what Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood describes as campaign of harassment in wake of parade for murdered UDA man

Last month Sorcha Eastwood complained to the Parades Commission about an Orange Order parade being held in her constituency on January 19 in memory of Jim Guiney, a former prominent member of Orange Lodge 1981 in Lisburn.

“I appeal to the organisers to reconsider their parade,” Ms Eastwood told the Irish News.

“Not only is it glorifying the actions of a paramilitary group in an area where their impact is still being felt, but it could serve to retraumatise the loved ones of one of their victims close to where he was killed.”

As well as being an Orangeman, according to the Troubles reference work ‘Lost Lives’, Mr Guiney was also a UDA member.

The married father of four was shot dead by INLA gunmen on January 19 1998 while working in his carpet shop in Dunmurry.

‘Lost Lives’ also reported: "Stewards at his funeral permitted only limited coverage by the media. Cameramen were told their cameras would be seized if they came close. Sixteen men, some wearing Orange sashes, flanked the coffin which was draped in the UDA flag and a Glasgow Rangers jersey. Among the mourners were the leaders of the UDP."

The reference works says the UDA/UFF was responsible for 430 deaths during the Troubles, 11.6% of the total.

Speaking to BBC ‘Talkback’ this week, Ms Eastwood said she has increased her personal security after what she described as a sinister smear campaign in the wake of her comments.

What followed was “unwanted contact” and “certainly harassment”, she said.

One evening when she was alone in her office, a stranger “bashed the window and started gesticulating,” she added.

She was also the target of “a strong social media campaign by faceless accounts – predominantly loyalists – linking me with terrorism”, she added.

However, officers and members of Orange Lodge 1981 have expressed concern about potentially being associated with her comments.

In a statement the lodge said: “The procession in question was one recently organised by our lodge in memory of our member Jim Guiney, murdered some 25 years ago.

“Jim Guiney was a devoted family man, a friend to many of our members and their families, and well respected within the wider community.

“Whilst several claims have been made about Jim, it should be noted and acknowledged that he had never been convicted or even questioned about any criminal activity.

“Our parade was a memorial to Jim’s contribution to both our lodge and the local community, had no links to any proscribed organisation whatsoever, and was open only to the members of the Orange institution.”The lodge liaised with Mr Guiney’s family, the local community association, PSNI, SDLP and Sinn Fein, with no concerns raised about the parade, it said.

“Attempts to contact Ms Eastwood, however, were ignored. Phone calls to the office were greeted with a promise to return the call [but were] never forthcoming.”

The lodge secretary and a relative of Mr Guiney visited Ms Eastwood’s office requesting a short meeting but without response, the lodge said.

There was no hostility, it said, as evidenced by the office manager passing them a mobile phone number for Ms Eastwood, it added.

Worshipful Master Sam Johnston added: “The lodge members as a whole are very saddened to hear of the pressure Ms Eastwood feels under, and of course abhor any criminality irrespective of the source.”

Ms Eastwood was invited to respond to the lodge's comments.

Kenny Donaldson, from victims group the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF), said previously that it was his group’s responsibility to “challenge circumstances when terrorism is glorified, diminished, overlooked or airbrushed”.

He added: “This is such as occasion. Jim Guiney was murdered by terrorists but he too was a member of a terrorist organisation and upon his murder, was claimed as such.

“All families have the right to grieve a loved one, that is without question. However when that remembrance is taken on by others and activated within a public space then there are issues to consider.

"Is it appropriate to hold a public parade remembering someone who was involved as a member of the loyal orders but who also was involved in a proscribed terrorist organisation, which was responsible for many murders with a high percentage motivated by sectarian and ethnic hatred?

"There are varying reports upon the level to which Jim Guiney was involved in the UDA/UFF's campaign of terror, but what is clear is that he was a member of the UDA organisation.

"It is our role to call out these issues and we are the one organisation who have the credibility to do so.”