Letter below published in County Down Spectator on Thursday 10 March 2016.
I
write in response to recent reports concerning the situation within Clandeboye
Village and the influence of Paramilitaries. For far too long local communities
across North Down and beyond have been forced to live under the influence of
illegal terrorist organisations whose only focus is control of the areas and
progressing their criminal activities such as drug dealing, racketeering and
extortion.
Last
year following the erection of paramilitary flags in the Clandeboye area local
people courageously stepped forward and requested their removal. The response
from statutory bodies, including the Police, sadly followed previously failed
approach, suggesting dialogue and discussions rather than respecting the will
of the vast majority of people across North Down who desire immediate and
prompt removal of such flags which demonstrate support for proscribed terrorist
organisations who have murdered and maimed hundreds.
With
many constituents contacting me requesting removal but statutory bodies
unwilling to act I hoped making a public call for removal would elicit support
from others but instead was met with complete and utter silence from both the
DUP and the Ulster Unionist Party who disgracefully failed to demonstrate the
leadership and courage others, such as Clandeboye residents, demonstrated by
publicly speaking out and calling for removal.
The
situation in Clandeboye, Willowbrook and other areas then evolved as many will
be aware with disastrous consequences. A few months later and plans are already
being made to again erect bonfires and no doubt paramilitary flags whilst
significant amounts of funding continuing to flow to organisations and
individuals closely related to paramilitary organisations with the active
endorsement of some in high office.
Rather
than accepting this as a fait accompli I urge all statutory bodies and those in
political life to take this opportunity to stand up, end the culture of
legitimisation and commit to the immediate eradication of paramilitary
organisations by taking some important first steps by never again suggesting
that residents should enter into mediation with local terrorists, reviewing
funding awarded and stating that the display of flags, shrines and murals for
illegal proscribed terrorist organisations across the Borough is wrong and
statutory bodies must act to ensure removal whenever such occurs.
North
Down deserves better than the past inflicted upon it by paramilitaries of
whatever shade.
Yours
etc.
Councillor
Andrew Muir, Town
Hall, The Castle, Bangor
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