Unionist challenge tributes to former Sinn Fein MLA Paul Butler – and recall father-of-four he murdered
Unionists have challenged tributes to former Sinn Fein MLA Paul Butler – and recalled the father-of-four he murdered in 1974.
Mr Butler was given a life sentence aged 17 after confessing to the murder of RUC reserve constable John Rodgers in Glengormley in 1974.
Also known as Pól de Buitléir, he stepped down as Lagan Valley MLA in 2011 and went to work for Relatives for Justice for over 15 years, retiring earlier this year.
Sinn Féin said he was out walking when he took unwell and passed away at home.
Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey said he was "incredibly sad to hear of his passing".
He added: "His life was rooted in activism, solidarity and a deep commitment to supporting others. He leaves behind a legacy of service to his community and to those who needed a voice and support."
But UUP leader Jon Burrows said in response to tributes that "the victims are airbrushed away".
He added that “every death is a tragedy for a family” but said that as tributes are paid to Mr Butler, he remembered John Rodgers.
"Butler was convicted of his murder,” he said. “John was a person, not a footnote to someone else’s story. His life mattered, and so does the loss his family has carried for more than fifty years.”
DUP MLA Phillip Brett said Mr Butler “should not be venerated”, stating that Mr Rodgers was a husband and father-of-four, "who was shot from behind".
He added: “Describing Butler as a ‘human rights activist’ or as a 'victims advocate' whilst omitting his terrorist activities is doublespeak straight from Orwell’s 1984,” he said.