John McCallister MLA Deputy Leader Ulster Unionist Pary South Down Constituency Office 19 Causeway Road, Newcastle,

Co Down, BT33 0DL Tel 028 4372 4400 Mobile 07833 668602 E-mail john.mccallister@btconnect.com

18 November 2010 Mr Colin Moffett Equality Officer Newry & Mourne District Council Monaghan Row NEWRY BT35 8DJ Dear Mr Moffett Re: Naming of Raymond McCreesh Park - Newry
In response to Newry and Mourne District Councils (NMDC) consultation on the naming of Raymond McCreesh Park, Newry, I object most strongly to this proposal. I consider this proposal to be irresponsible in the extreme. At a time when all reasonable and sensible individuals, political parties and groups are striving to build a shared, inclusive future for all the people of Northern Ireland, it is surely not in the public or common interest to name a public park after an individual who was convicted of attempted murder, possession of a rifle and ammunition and IRA membership. That this park serves as a play facility for young children, as well as a five-a-side soccer pitch and basketball court, only serves to highlight the obscenity of this proposal. What message would be given to these young users if a convicted attempted murderer were to be immortalized in the name of their local park? This proposal flies in the face of reason and shows contempt for those who are working to build bridges in the community, whether in the field of shared education or the creation of shared spaces with the aim of promoting a greater mutual understanding. In accordance with the Good Friday Agreement, early releases were granted to terrorist prisoners on both sides of the sectarian divide.

This however should not be misinterpreted as condoning or legitimizing the litany of violence and murders of the previous 40 years, nor should it be taken to mean that membership of any paramilitary organisation can ever be justified. As evidenced by the recent increased terrorist activity and security reviews, Northern Ireland, and all its people continue to face a threat from dissident terrorist activity. We all have a duty to say no to violence and to teach the young that this is not an option. For too long the people of this province, whether in Newry, or on the Shankhill Road, were held to ransom by the men in balaclavas. It is now time to look to a brighter future of dialogue and common aims rather than mythologizing the conflicts in our recent history. Part 2.2 of the Consultation document shows a very low response (37%) to the postal survey within the Daisy Hill area. The fact that 61 out of 199 forms were returned agreeing with the proposal to change the parks name cannot be taken to be an overwhelmingly supportive response. In fact the poor response to the Postal Survey means that there is no real accurate representation of local feeling. The use of 2001 Census figures which state that the community background of Daisy Hill 1 and Daisy Hill 2 are 97.4% Catholic and 96.1% Catholic respectively cannot be considered as a valid rationale for the renaming of this park. This reflects rather dimly upon the imagination of NMDCs Technical/Environmental Services Committee at that time, who would appear to be of the sectarian mindset that all Roman Catholics supported the IRA campaign. This logic can only be described as retrograde and insulting. As an Ulster Unionist MLA, I have worked hard within the Assembly, within my Party and within the community to move Northern Ireland forward. I strive to build bridges between the communities and to promote good relations and understanding. For someone like me who cares deeply about the future of Northern Ireland and the young people who are growing up here, renaming this play area in honour of Raymond McCreesh would be most harmful to good community relations, and indeed would lead to the further ghettoization of this area of Newry. The aphorism One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter sums up the subjectivity of the proposed nomenclature of this park, and moreover, serves to highlight just how divisive such a change of name would be. Can the Council foresee a time when children of former serving officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary or HM Armed Forces would feel able to use this facility should a decision be made to name this park after a convicted IRA member? This play park is located close to Daisy Hill Hospital which is used by people of all religions, political preferences and those who hold none. It is important that an area is available to those who may be visiting loved ones and need somewhere to take a breath of fresh air without feeling intimidated by and unable to enter a sectarian named park. I feel that when making a decision to change the name of this park, the Council must take a principled stance and not fall into what would appear to me to be a trap laid for them by the Newry 1981 Hunger Strike Commemoration Committee. Should NMDC opt to follow a sectarian route of choosing to rename this Park in memory of Raymond McCreesh, it will lose all credibility for those who occupy the centre-ground in local politics and ostracize those who desire to create a modern, forward-looking society for all in Northern Ireland. Such a decision would in fact completely alienate all those in Newry (I daresay the vast majority of residents) who opposed the IRAs terror campaign).

Has the Council not considered naming this area after a local man or woman who could be looked upon as a real role model for children and youth? For me, one obvious contender would be Pat Jennings OBE, Northern Irelands former goalkeeper. Pat was born in Newry, played for Newry Town and went to play for some of the major premiership sides. His record-breaking international career lasted 22 years! Pat Jennings is a shining example of success, a role model to promote the importance of sport, and would appear to me to be a perfect candidate to give his name to a park which is home to a five-a-side soccer pitch. NMDC have a duty to the people who live within its boundaries, or who visit, to make council amenities shared spaces which all can use without discomfort, and which reflect the progress that has been made since 1998. The Council also has a responsibility to the young, who are the future of both Newry City and Northern Ireland. It is time to be constructive, a time to build tomorrows society, not honour those who sought to sow mayhem and destruction. I trust you will consider my comments appropriately and I look forward to hearing from you in due course.

Yours sincerely

John McCallister UUP MLA for South Down