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Security concerns see GAA club cancel historic event with loyalist leaders
Thursday, 18 September 2008
A historic cross-community peace-building event which would have seen UDA boss Jackie McDonald engage with republican representatives in the heart of west Belfast last night was cancelled.
The committee of the Sarsfield Gaelic Athletics Club in Andersonstown — where the panel discussion was due to take place — called off the event because of security concerns and respect to members.
The club said they only became aware the loyalist leader as well as other prominent figures such as Frankie Gallagher from the Ulster Political Research Group were going to be attending the event after they were contacted by the media and many distressed members whose relatives were murdered by loyalist paramilitaries.
The event, which was organised by the Standing Northern Ireland Peace Process, was booked as a “music and cultural event with cross community input”, they said.
“We have decided not to host this event at this time for a number of reasons,” the club said in a statement last night. “Our priority remains with young people of Patrick Sarsfield and the prospect of a security and media presence at our premises clashes with various games and activities being hosted.
“We remain uncomfortable at the prospect of an alleged paramilitary leader coming to our premises. This, we feel, is too sensitive an issue given the murders and treatment of GAA members at the hands of loyalist paramilitaries.
“This event was organised without our full knowledge or consent.”
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Robbo - Jackie McDonald is the UDA Leader - who still have not given up their arms. Bit of a difference between the UDA and Sinn Fein who are elected representatives.
Mickey - 1-0 to Unionism? eh? What trophies do the GAA name after paramilitaries?
Michael - Sinn Fein are elected by the public and hold ministerial positions. SF visiting a school is a world of difference away from a UDA leader visiting a sporting club!
Posted by Crazy stuff | 18.09.08, 21:08 GMT
All very good and valid points and i agree with all of them
Posted by phil c | 18.09.08, 20:31 GMT
As one matures, it becomes clear that society in Northern Ireland is a mirror image. One side is as bad as the other, there is no difference. It would have been a big event, and a big step for both sides. On small step for man, one big step for Northern Ireland politics. It can no longer be one-sided--grow up. I thought times were changing.
Posted by canuck | 18.09.08, 19:58 GMT
C'mon now. Asking the UDA Godfather into a GAA club is akin to asking Gerry Adams to visit a Shankill Rd Fish and Chip shop. It's just not on for that particular community at this time. To pretend otherwise is political naivety.
Posted by Robert | 18.09.08, 16:51 GMT
Gentlemen, I have to say fair points by Michael, Micky and Robbo. (And I am a nationalist) While I can understand the concerns of the patrons of the GAA club, being that some of these people may have murdered some of their relatives/friends. The only way to move forward is for both parties to gain a better understanding of one another. It's time, in fact it's way beyond time things like this were done.
Posted by Barry | 18.09.08, 15:44 GMT
So it is ok too bring Sinn Fein/ IRA Stormont ministers into a Protestant school in Coleraine but not UDA men into GAA Clubs in West Belfast!!!! Double standards
Posted by Michael | 18.09.08, 14:03 GMT
Waste of time, I'm glad it was cancelled.
What a surprise that people were upset that a leader of a Loyalist paramilitary was coming to visit and sit around a drinking tea and biscuits having a singalong.
Posted by Steve Douglas | 18.09.08, 13:44 GMT
"We remain uncomfortable at the prospect of an alleged paramilitary leader coming to our premises."
And yet the GAA have no problem in naming trophies and clubs after alledged paramilitaries, to say nothing of some of their own "guests".
oh my days, that's priceless!
1-0 Unionisim.
Posted by mickey | 18.09.08, 12:46 GMT
It's interesting that an event was cancelled owing to the presence of loyalist paramilitaries and yet we have republican leaders governing us from Stormont. What a peculiar world!
Posted by robbo | 18.09.08, 12:23 GMT