The Martin Hurson Story at Market Place Theatre, Armagh: Terrorist survivor says like 'a knife in the back' for council to host IRA play
A man whose brother was murdered by the IRA as he travelled home from work says the decision by his borough council to host an IRA play is like "a knife in the back".
Markethill man Colin Worton was speaking about the 'The Martin Hurson Story' which is being staged at the The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre in Armagh from 2 October.
The facility is run by Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
According to Troubles reference work Lost Lives, Martin Hurson was a single, Catholic, 27-year-old IRA man from Galbally in Co Tyrone who died on Hunger Strike on 13 July 1981.
An Phoblacht says he was charged with possession of explosives and received a 20-year sentence in November 1977, which he unsuccessfully appealed.
The charges were; causing an explosion, possession of explosive substances with intent, conspiracy to murder and membership of a proscribed organisation.
Colin Worton's 24-year-old brother Kenneth was one of 10 Protestant men who were murdered by the IRA at Kingsmills in south Armagh in 1976.
Mr Worton told the News Letter: "What a knife in the back to innocent victims like us, for my own council to host this play.
"These IRA men are made out to be freedom fighters. But to me a freedom fighter is the French Resistance who targeted Nazi occupiers. They didn't target innocent civilians like my brother. The IRA deliberately killed hundreds of innocent civilians on both sides of the community.
"If this had been staged in a republican area could understand it. But this is supposed to be a venue for people from across the community."
While not endorsing the idea, he added: "Imagine the outcry if a play about a loyalist like Billy Wright was staged here?"
Cusher independent Councillor Paul Berry said a "very angry" constituent contacted him about the event.
"Frankly no such event in my view should be in Council property," he said. "Martin Hurson was a convicted East Tyrone Monaghan PIRA member who received concurrent sentences of 20, 15 and five years for involvement in three PIRA landmine attacks on the RUC and UDR."
He added that his uncle, who was a member of the RUC, was also murdered by the East Tyrone IRA.
A TUV spokesperson said: “There is no question about the pedigree of Martin Hurson. He was, as his criminal record shows, a convicted terrorist guilty of the most horrific crimes.
"This is an insult not just to the many victims of IRA terror within the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council area but also to the brave men and women who served with distinction in the security forces."
Kenny Donaldson, Director of Victims Group the South East Fermanagh, previously questioned how public facilities can be used to stage such events.
He added: "There are significant questions to be answered in terms of the latitude being afforded Management within Council-based facilities. Surely it is not in the interests of the council for such facilities to become a cold house for sections of the community?”
But a council spokesperson defended hosting the event.
“Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has in place an Arts, Culture and Heritage Framework which sets out guiding principles for its facilities and services. The Framework has been Equality Screened and Rural Needs Impact Assessed”.
Sinn Fein was invited to comment.