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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.