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Government funds loyalist garden | Government funds loyalist garden |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The Department of Social Development has part-funded a "garden of reflection" in Bangor in which loyalist paramilitaries are honoured. | The Department of Social Development has part-funded a "garden of reflection" in Bangor in which loyalist paramilitaries are honoured. |
The project in the Kilcooley estate was supposed to be linked to the removal of loyalist murals and graffiti. | The project in the Kilcooley estate was supposed to be linked to the removal of loyalist murals and graffiti. |
Three black stones bear inscriptions dedicated to the "glorious memory" of the UDA, UVF, and Red Hand Commando. | Three black stones bear inscriptions dedicated to the "glorious memory" of the UDA, UVF, and Red Hand Commando. |
The DSD said the paramilitary plinths were "not in accordance" with the plans it agreed with the Housing Executive. | The DSD said the paramilitary plinths were "not in accordance" with the plans it agreed with the Housing Executive. |
A spokesman for the department explained the funds had been distributed by the Housing Executive under a neighbourhood renewal project. | A spokesman for the department explained the funds had been distributed by the Housing Executive under a neighbourhood renewal project. |
In a statement the DSD said "unfortunately the memorial as it stands at the moment does not reflect the project's original objectives of the removal of all sectarian symbols. | In a statement the DSD said "unfortunately the memorial as it stands at the moment does not reflect the project's original objectives of the removal of all sectarian symbols. |
"The erection of these paramilitary plinths was not in accordance with the Housing Executive's planned works which were agreed by the department. | "The erection of these paramilitary plinths was not in accordance with the Housing Executive's planned works which were agreed by the department. |
"The department is currently working to ascertain why the paramilitary plinths are in the garden of reflection." | "The department is currently working to ascertain why the paramilitary plinths are in the garden of reflection." |
In a statement the Housing Executive said agreement had been reached that the "garden of reflection" would have "no paramilitary connotations". | |
Funding | |
"We are clearly very concerned that the full funding conditions have not been met," the statement said. | |
"This should not undermine the progress that has been made in other ways with the removal of the paramilitary murals, insignia, and plaques. | |
"The prospect exists that other murals and paramilitary insignia can also be removed from other places in the North Down Borough. | |
"The fact that the conditions for the Kilcooley Garden of Reflection have not been met demonstrates the difficulties which exist in helping communities to make the transition to shared neighbourhoods." | |
It is not yet known how much funding was allocated to the project. | It is not yet known how much funding was allocated to the project. |
Alliance Party assembly member Stephen Farry said he had written a letter of complaint to Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie about the "glorification of terrorism". | Alliance Party assembly member Stephen Farry said he had written a letter of complaint to Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie about the "glorification of terrorism". |
"She has been very clear in her support for a shared future - if DSD have funded this, it's the very antithesis of a shared future and serious questions have to be asked. | "She has been very clear in her support for a shared future - if DSD have funded this, it's the very antithesis of a shared future and serious questions have to be asked. |
Local community worker Mark Gordon said he appreciated some people may have concerns but the garden was open to everyone. | Local community worker Mark Gordon said he appreciated some people may have concerns but the garden was open to everyone. |
"One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter," he said. | "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter," he said. |
"Why is it that when loyalists within this community choose to honour their dead that suddenly there's an uproar?" | "Why is it that when loyalists within this community choose to honour their dead that suddenly there's an uproar?" |
In 2007, Ms Ritchie set a 60-day ultimatum for the UDA to decommission its weapons after shots were fired at police during rioting in the Kilcooley estate. | In 2007, Ms Ritchie set a 60-day ultimatum for the UDA to decommission its weapons after shots were fired at police during rioting in the Kilcooley estate. |
When the deadline passed, she withdrew £1m in funding from a project aimed at transforming loyalist areas. A High Court judge later quashed her decision because she had not followed proper procedures. | When the deadline passed, she withdrew £1m in funding from a project aimed at transforming loyalist areas. A High Court judge later quashed her decision because she had not followed proper procedures. |