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Former foes show unity at vigil against sectarianism in Northern Ireland
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Republicans and loyalists joined community workers and trade union officials at an anti-sectarianism vigil in Belfast city centre.
The lunchtime City Hall event yesterday was held in support of the family of Kevin McDaid, the Coleraine man murdered earlier this month in a sectarian attack.
It was organised by Belfast community workers, in solidarity with Mr McDaid, a community worker.
Political representatives in the crowd included Sinn Fein’s junior Stormont minister Gerry Kelly.
He told the Belfast Telegraph the vigil had sent out a united message on the McDaid murder.
“Whoever was involved in this needs to know, and anybody thinking of doing the same needs to know, they will not be supported, they will be opposed,” Mr Kelly said.
Frankie Gallagher of the UDA-linked UPRG was also present. Commenting afterwards, he again said that the UDA was not involved in the Coleraine killing.
“I thought it was important to be here to stand up against sectarianism,” he said. “Sectarianism lurks in deep caverns within all our community. It’s not the domain or the monopoly of poorer classes in the poorer areas.”
Several hundred people attended the vigil. SDLP MLA John Dallat, who represents the Coleraine area, was present and he afterwards praised the community workers for organising it.
“I sincerely hope that community groups in Coleraine and other places will emulate the example they have set,” Mr Dallat added.
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There are those of us who will never learn to spell either neal.
Maybe you should slow down, take a deep breath and type your 'whataboutery' a little slower.
This man's murder has nothing to do with Teebane- whether you agree with Gerry Kelly's politics or not has no relevance to this man's brutal killing by a loyalist mob. Mobs of cowardly scum that appear to be knocked out on conveyor belts these days. What big men they must be.
Posted by Ronan | 04.06.09, 15:17 GMT
Gerry Kelly`s remarks at this rally are tich, coming from a man whose poarty`s military wing carried out many sectarian murders over 40 years. Remember Darkley, Teebane, and the massacre of the 10 Protestant workmen in South Armagh. There are those of us who will never forget, Gerry.
Posted by neal | 04.06.09, 08:00 GMT
What an awful country - some things just never change. I left N.I. back in the early 80's because of this type of hatred and bigotry. Sad to see that that the same hatred still exists. Doesn't take much to blow the sectarian lid off - a Rangers win for God sake!
Posted by jdc | 03.06.09, 17:51 GMT
"Seems like certain parts of the community only come out when non-Catholics are murdered."
What complete rubbish. The vast majority of Catholics AND Protestants are decent moral folk. Are we going to start saying Catholics are MORE moral, Protestants are more this, less that. Oh get real, your ignorance and generalisations are horrendous!!
Why talk in terms of religion when mourning a death, weather it be Mr McDaid, or soldiers in Antrim, or targeted catholic PSNI officers.
Posted by Please people, catch a grip | 03.06.09, 17:40 GMT
Where were the mainstream Unionist representatives? They have shown themselves to be an embarassment. Their lack of interest and minimal pandering shows them for what they are.
Posted by M S | 03.06.09, 11:00 GMT
I thought it an absolute disgrace the small number of people who attended the protest at City Hall against this brutal murder. Had this been a republican killing, everyone would have been at it. Seems like certain parts of the community only come out when non-Catholics are murdered. Shame on you. And don’t get me started about the spineless Trade Unions. They’re a disgrace.
Posted by No longer fooled | 03.06.09, 09:43 GMT