The Sinn Fein MLA who organised a memorial service for a convicted IRA
bomber at Stormont has defended the plan.
Jennifer McCann sparked fury among unionists after she booked the Long
Gallery inside Parliament Buildings for an event dedicated to IRA bomber
Mairead Farrell.
She said that the event was scheduled to coincide with International Women's
Day, which is on March 8.
Mrs McCann said that she did not intend to offend unionists, but nor did she
expect them to back her plans.
"It's not about agreeing," she said. "I'm not asking anyone
to agree with what I am doing, but I am saying they should respect it.
Stormont is a shared space and that's the way it has to be seen.
"We have a right to hold the celebration there. I would never, ever say
to unionists or loyalists that they should or should not be doing something."
She added: "It's International Women's Day and we're celebrating the
life of Mairead Farrell. I don't think that should offend anyone."
But unionists vowed to block the celebration of Farrell, one of three IRA
members shot dead by the SAS in Gibraltar in 1988.
North Belfast DUP MLA Nelson McCausland branded the plans as "ludicrous"
, and that they demonstrated "warped thinking".
"Mairead Farrell was a Provisional IRA bomber who was intercepted by
the forces of law and order on her way to kill innocent people in Gibraltar.
"For Jennifer McCann to claim that an event celebrating the life of
such a criminal has anything to do with International Women's Day is quite
frankly ludicrous.
"People like Farrell and her fellow terrorists in the IRA killed
hundreds of innocent women throughout the course of their campaign of
terror.
"To hold such a person up as a role model demonstrates some of warped
thinking.
"The DUP will oppose this event taking place.
"As the home of our local assembly, Stormont is a shared public space."
Hi: 17°C / Lw: 13°C
Revealed: Ulster's most dangerous roads
Deputy First Minister in Baghdad for peace mission
Thomas Beattie gives birth to healthy baby girl
Iran warns: attack us and we'll strike you back
Swimsuit photo shoot in buildup to Vietnam final
Federer and Nadal set for Centre court final
Mandela honoured with the class of 2008
Supporters that made Euro 2008 one to remember
Fashion of the wives throughout the tournament
Pop princess Minogue wows fans at Odyssey gig
Try your luck in our GAA 'pick the score' competition
Looking forward to the famous biking event
Ship's Belfast beginnings celebrated in exhibition
Applauding Ulster's most exceptional women
Special report on Northern Ireland's worst house fire
Celebrating excellence at the inaugural awards gala 
Special multimedia report on Belfast Wheel