Allister forces action on IRA monument
19 March 2009
Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has welcomed the Secretary of State’s response to his request that action be taken against Omagh District Council concerning an illegal IRA monument in Dromore, Co Tyrone.
The MEP said:
“In early December last year I wrote to the Secretary of State highlighting the fact that the Equality Commission has been compelled a report to him on the persistent failure of Omagh District Council to act on its recommendation to conduct an Equality Impact Assessment on disposal of land for the purpose of erecting or retaining an IRA monument in Dromore.
“It was clear from the protracted history of this matter that the Council had been deliberately avoiding its legal obligations. It is intolerable that a public authority should behave in such a manner.
“The Secretary of State has informed me that he has, as requested in my letter, issued a direction to Omagh District Council to carry out an Equality Impact Assessment. I very much welcome this development.
“I trust that this will eventually lead to the removal of the monument and that the Protestant minority in Dromore will no longer have to endure the presence of this illegal and offensive memorial.
“Of course, this is just one of many illegal monuments to illegal organizations throughout Ulster. It is a matter of great regret that the DUP controlled Department of the Environment has failed to take Province wide action on this matter”.
