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Belfast’s SF mayor avoids Army parade and protest

By Noel McAdam
Wednesday, 29 October 2008

Belfast’s Sinn Fein Lord Mayor is side-stepping the row over Sunday’s armed forces homecoming parade in the city centre, it emerged last night.

Veteran councillor Tom Hartley will walk away from potential embarrassment by instead attending the Indian festival of lights — called the Diwali — in north Belfast around the same time as the controversial march.

Instead the formal salute outside the City Hall will be taken by this year’s High Sheriff, DUP councillor Margaret McKenzie.

The first citizen’s alternative whereabouts emerged as Sinn Fein renewed its criticism of the tribute and repeated its demand for the parade to be cancelled.

Assembly member Jennifer McCann dubbed the parade an “insult” to the nationalist community of Belfast.

“It's not about not welcoming these people home, but they don't have to do it in a coat-trailing exercise,” she said.

However, DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said the event was for everyone. “On that day we will not only show our appreciation and support for the bravery of our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, but we will also remember those who did not return home alive from theatres of conflict,” he said.

“This is an event to show them that we care deeply about the sacrifices that they have made.”

And the North Belfast MP said he believed the parade should be broadcast live by both BBC and UTV.

“People from all around Northern Ireland will want to watch as we pay tribute to our soldiers returning home from such difficult and hazardous missions. Therefore I am calling upon the BBC and UTV to broadcast this event live on Sunday morning,” he added.

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it's sad to think that a lord mayor is not going to attend the homecoming parade but we will get over it .....i couldnt care less if he was there or not!im not attnding to see him, i will be there to show my respects for the heroes who did not make it home to their mothers wives children, loved ones,and also to show respect to those who will be parading ..well done you brave men and women.xx

Posted by roberta douglas | 31.10.08, 09:10 GMT

Are the pro-march contributors below so blinded as to think that there could be any support among nationalists let alone republicans for an army that in one town on one Sunday afternoon alone murdered six men and seven boys, wounding as many more? The majority in GB want nothing to do with celebrating or commemorating illegal wars either. As for Belfast, let's face it, it's just an excuse for some more 'croppie-lie-downery'.

Posted by Tommo | 30.10.08, 18:43 GMT

the british army should not hold a homecoming parade in the streets of belfast.a parade like that should be held in london.where im glad to say that it will be veiwed the same.this is an illegal war and should not be marked with nothing but shame.tom hartly made the right decsion to watch the diwali celebrations and will bring all communities together in peace and light.well done tom for not celebrating war lets move on from the dark days and move into the light god bless diwali

Posted by john kerr | 30.10.08, 13:55 GMT

Welcome home Dad and my big Brother Alan, walk proud with your heads held high. We nearly lost you both and we are so proud that you have both come home safe. We spend 6 months waiting and worrying.

Everyone in Northern Ireland please please support our troops.

Love Cath

Posted by Cathy | 30.10.08, 10:57 GMT

SF/IRA give it a rest. Stay at home and let us enjoy our peace.

Posted by Alan | 29.10.08, 19:25 GMT

Ulster is part of the UK. The returning troops fought for the UK and therefore should be honoured in a UK country. Sinn Fein and republican attitude is not surprising. They are totally against anything British the only exception being British money. They want everything on their terms nobody elses. Nobody forces them to live in Ulster. If they are not happy with the democratic way of life in this country they have the democratic right to move elsewhere. Nobody will stand in their way.

Posted by Jim Hamilton | 29.10.08, 18:47 GMT

So, um, why is it that Belfast’s Lord Mayor side-stepping the row over homecoming parade? Could it be because it is an opportunity to thank our troops for their brave efforts in bringing 'peace to an unstable land - plus rooting out, fighting and defeating terrorism'?

To be fair to him, the irony is clearly not lost on our SF/IRA Lord Mayor...

Posted by mickey | 29.10.08, 13:25 GMT

"Double standards from them and thats why there will never be peace in NORTHERN IRELAND"

Horse manure Bobby. There IS peace in Northern Ireland save for a tiny handful of hatefilled bigots, whose numbers are decreasing not generation after generation, but week after week. Let these people be exposed for what they are.

They deserve our pity, not our rage.

Posted by mickey | 29.10.08, 13:07 GMT

What is sinn fein on about, they dont want the Queen as they wont take the pledge to the QUEEN from which they should be fined or stripped of being an MP, they dont want the British and they dont want to welcome the RIR for their bravery IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN, but they will take the benifits and money even as it has the QUEENS head on the notes and coins. Double standards from them and thats why there will never be peace in NORTHERN IRELAND. I served in BOSNIA & IRAQ AND PROUD OF IT, GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

Posted by Bobby | 29.10.08, 12:31 GMT

SF is a joke. Why did they go and beg like slaves for permission from the British in the first place to protest in their own city? Now they are tough again because of the pressure they are under from nationalists and republicans. They are fooling no one in nationalist or republican areas. I only wish there were elections tomorrow so that we can kick SF out for become the new Gerry Fitt party.

Posted by no longer fooled republican | 29.10.08, 11:10 GMT