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DUP man sorry over mob murder remark
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
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A DUP councillor today apologised “for any hurt caused” by comments he made following the sectarian murder of Catholic father-of-four Kevin McDaid.
The 49-year-old cross-community worker was beaten to death by a mob near his home in Coleraine on Sunday after Rangers won the Scottish league title.
The crowd even turned on the dead man's Protestant widow, Evelyn, when she tried to save him. After a beating she was left with two black eyes and covered in cuts and bruises.
Following the incident Coleraine councillor Adrian McQuillan said the flying of tricolour flags in the Heights estate hours before Mr McDaid was set upon by the mob was done to “get a reaction”.
When asked to comment on the attack he said: “Tit-for-tat all the time. What reason can you see for there being tricolours up yesterday afternoon, a Sunday afternoon? None other than to get a reaction from the loyalist community, and they certainly got a reaction this time, which is very sad.”
However the comments sparked outrage amongst SDLP and Sinn Fein politicians who say that the statement added further hurt to a community already in shock.
SDLP MLA and councillor John Dallat branded the comments as “totally inappropriate”.
“His (Mr McQuillan’s) contributions to the people in the Heights has been most unhelpful and such comments just cause more pain for a family and community.
“The statement, I think, is beyond comment. But it is totally inappropriate to make these comments, and I think he should apologise.”
Sinn Fein councillor Billy Leonard also said the statement caused hurt in the community.
“Adrian McQuillan has, in typical fashion, tried to put a spin on events which attempts to infer there was some type of circumstances in which this attack could be understood,” he said. “This is a dreadful approach as it turns victims into causes. There was absolutely no justification for any aspect of this attack.”
He added: “It was raw sectarian hatred and must be understood as such. Loyalists have absolutely no right to appoint themselves as people who will take any action against republicans and nationalists on any issue. Their deadly approach has no |place whatsoever in this society.”
But today Mr McQuillan told the Belfast Telegraph he would retract the comments adding that there was “no hurt meant” by what he said.
“At the time I made some of those comments I didn’t realise the man was dead. And I condemn the murder of anyone. And the comments weren’t meant to hurt anyone,” he said.
Mr McQuillan said he had been in contact with the police on Sunday afternoon to inform them flags had been erected and asked them to “keep an eye on the situation” as they were causing tensions.
“I just asked the police to keep an eye on the situation and make them aware of it. And then what happened after that is history now,” he said.
Mr McQuillan said was unaware a mob would attack anyone.
Ten people remained in custody today over the murder.
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Comments
25 Comments
@phl : you said
"Why are ULSTER people so interested in what relegion a person is?"
You may have missed the point of this story, but a innocent man was murdered by a bunch of so-called Protestants who set out to hurt or kill a Catholic, (any Catholic would do) who happened to come in their way...and if you want to know why that happened, you need to read the history of Ireland, you idiot!
Posted by DannyBoy | 28.05.09, 14:32 GMT
There are just so many stupid and blinded people in power in Northern Ireland, flippant comments like this are typical of an idiot
Posted by MiHe | 28.05.09, 14:28 GMT
To ex-pat (and the nonsense they've typed)
Do the people of North Korea DESERVE the government Kim Il Sung II?! Wise up.
Posted by Aaron | 28.05.09, 14:07 GMT
“At the time I made some of those comments I didn’t realise the man was dead."
His original statement was made in response to a question asking his view on the murder.
Posted by Antain | 28.05.09, 08:31 GMT
I am a protestant and I used to vote for the DUP - I soon wised up and people like this idiot is just one of the reasons why - his comments were completely uncalled for.
I didn't know Mr Mcdaid but from what i have learned,im sure that he alone was worth more than all of our polititians put together and his murder is a disgrace.
Posted by Andy | 28.05.09, 02:31 GMT
Mr. McQuillan says he was unaware that a mob would attack; he also spoke about "tit for tat". When was he speaking the truth?
For years I haven't read about a republican mob carrying out attacks because of union jacks being erected.
It's about time the DUP, and all its councillors, recognize the rights of both communities to their aspirations and peaceful means (ie erecting flags) to express those aspirations. If not; they are unfit to hold office.
Posted by Jan | 27.05.09, 23:37 GMT
Sad situation, will it ever end - why are these paramilitary organizations allowed to exist - are the police absolutely helpless? Are there no laws to cover these ongoing threats to innocent people.
Pathetic is the only word to describe the N.I. situation and the other thing more pathetic are the politicians you elect to represent you. They say people gets the government they deserve and I guess that is correct.
Posted by ex-pat | 27.05.09, 19:47 GMT
Why are ULSTER people so interested in what relegion a person is? In the USA, if someone ask what your religion is, you tell them it was none of their bussiness. I simple tell then not only that but to go to hell.
Posted by phl | 27.05.09, 19:20 GMT
This man is not an idiot of masive proportions. We all know the sick people who did carried out the violence are the "idiots of masive proportions".
Posted by John | 27.05.09, 17:51 GMT
Hi All,
The councillor is DUP so I'm not surprised. I would just like to say that his reaction is actually milder than the main BBC news report at 10pm.
They did their usual obfuscation job by pointing out tri-clours and mentioning celtic a lot. Absolutely disgusting, I'll be gritting my teeth tomorrow when I pay my £142.50 !! tv licence.
As I bet most minority people did after they televised Jim (nic nic) Davidson telling jokes about their genitallia.
Scunnered.
Posted by Scunnered | 27.05.09, 17:38 GMT
I'm glad that apologised - but he should still be made to resign from his party. If the DUP allow him to remain within their ranks it will send a terrible message to nationalists.
Posted by joanna | 27.05.09, 17:09 GMT
After all the recent strides made and concessions on both sides to bring peace in Northern Ireland, people go mad, turn into a mob, a man is murdered all over the outcome of a football game fueled by alcohol and tormenting. Sectarian hatred still exists at the grassroots level. Shamefull. Belfast is on a slippery slope.
Posted by brian norton | 27.05.09, 17:01 GMT
The comments are certainly disgusting, and uncalled for in an elected representative.
What's more disgusting than that however, is the sick individuals that are prepared to kill, simply because someone if of the "other" religion. Not to sterotype, but these estate living, flag flying bigots, full of hatred and selfish gain are utterly beyond contempt.
Posted by Get real NI | 27.05.09, 16:46 GMT
“At the time I made some of those comments I didn’t realise the man was dead. And I condemn the murder of anyone."
And??!!! So is Mr McQuillan only saying sorry because Mr McDaid died? If he were alive and in the condition Damien Fleming is in in hospital now he wouldn't have been sorry and he wouldn't have condemned the attack as it was only a result of tit-for-tat violence brought on by provocation from nationalists? Absolutely disgusting, even his apology is insulting.
Posted by Brónagh | 27.05.09, 15:29 GMT
resign mr mc quillian bitterness still exists today and people need to grow up dup need to stand up condem it if it was the other way u would never hear the end of them dup stand up
Posted by ray .. usa | 27.05.09, 15:09 GMT
What an ignorant, and I don't mean uneducated, man. He is an absolute disgrace.
Posted by cd | 27.05.09, 14:37 GMT
This man is unbelievable.
“At the time I made some of those comments I didn’t realise the man was dead. " What does that mean?? If they didn't kill him and just seriously injured him those comments would be justified??
This is possibly the most disgraceful comment i've heard in years in this country, a man was kicked to death and he blames it on tri colours being put up on lamp posts.
Posted by Thomas | 27.05.09, 13:12 GMT
Any wonder the world looks aghast at us with comments like this from McQuillan. He should hang his head with shame, if he had any decency in him
Posted by No Justice | 27.05.09, 13:03 GMT
What a comment to make. As if flying whatever flag you wish is justification for murder. How can a mob bashing of a man be excused under any circumstances. All the people of Northern Ireland should condemn this senseless killing. If politicians like Mr McQuillan can come out with such a ridiculous excuse for violence what kind of example is that to the public. Who is teaching the children?
Posted by Jessie | 27.05.09, 13:02 GMT
All the people of Northern Ireland should condemn this senseless killing. If politicians like Mr McQuillan can come out with such a ridiculous excuse for violence what kind of example is that to the public. Whose teaching the children?
Posted by Jessie | 27.05.09, 13:00 GMT
25 Comments