Daily
Dispatch Tuesday 14th November 2006
SDLP
MAGINNESS - UVF WREATH AT CITY CENOTAPH IS AN OUTRAGE
Senior SDLP representative and Belfast City Councillor Alban Maginness
has called for an immediate investigation into an alleged UVF
commemoration at the City’s Centotaph.
“This is an outrage. I am deeply concerned about information
over a paramilitary forming of ranks on remembrance Sunday.
The UVF may claim some linage to their historical namesake but
veterans and relatives of those who made the ultimate sacrifice
in service of their country will be disgusted at this sullying
of their good name.
Everyone knows their claim to links with the organisation formed
in 1914 is a gross distortion and ruse to fly their flags.
Thousands of young Irish and British people lost their lives in
both world wars and hundreds have lost their lives to the modern
UVF’s murder gangs.
This is an insult to the work of the British Legion.
If it is true that this vile practise has been going on since
1998 I want to know who has tolerated this on city council property
for nearly a decade.
In typical paramilitary fashion it seems it was a clandestine
event and could have caused considerable fear for people in the
area.
If the UVF want to become an ‘old-boys’ commemorative
organisation then we will be expecting them to hand in their guns
forthwith.”
