IrishWorker
28th April 2010, 01:38
Election row over Free Derry corner
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Published Date: 27 April 2010
A row has erupted over the displaying of election banners at one of Derry's most iconic landmarks, Free Derry Corner.
People Before Profit candidate Eamonn McCann has claimed that Sinn Féin have told him to take down by tomorrow afternoon an election mural at the back of Free Derry Corner on the Lecky Road.
However, Sinn Féin have said it had already booked the space in agreement with a committee who look after the wall in order to erect its own election poster.
Mr McCann said he was unaware of any formal booking procedures, and claimed that his election workers had agreed with people usually involved with the wall that his banner could go up. He said that no political party controls Free Derry Corner and he won't be taking the banner down.
"I received a text telling me to take down the poster by Wednesday lunchtime or it would be taken down It is a community facility. It is not their wall or their area. They have claimed more public space than any other party and now they want the wall as well," he said.
The banner is on a specially constructed frame which allows various groups to display banners in support of various campaigns and causes without having to attach them to the wall. It is understood that the frame was erected a number of years ago and has been used by a large number of groups and organisations since then.
Sinn Féin's director of elections in Derry, Andrew McCartney, said; "We made the booking well in advance with the committee in adherence to the standard protocol. We have been in contact with the members of the committee over the weekend to get this issue resolved over the next day or two."
Committee member Tony Doherty, a member of Sinn Fein, who sent the text to Mr McCann, told the 'Journal'; "I have been in contact with both sides and I am hoping for an amicable solution. There is a long-standing protocol and I hope that everyone adheres to that protocol."
http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Election-row-over-Free-Derry.6256055.jp
ADVERTISEMENT
Published Date: 27 April 2010
A row has erupted over the displaying of election banners at one of Derry's most iconic landmarks, Free Derry Corner.
People Before Profit candidate Eamonn McCann has claimed that Sinn Féin have told him to take down by tomorrow afternoon an election mural at the back of Free Derry Corner on the Lecky Road.
However, Sinn Féin have said it had already booked the space in agreement with a committee who look after the wall in order to erect its own election poster.
Mr McCann said he was unaware of any formal booking procedures, and claimed that his election workers had agreed with people usually involved with the wall that his banner could go up. He said that no political party controls Free Derry Corner and he won't be taking the banner down.
"I received a text telling me to take down the poster by Wednesday lunchtime or it would be taken down It is a community facility. It is not their wall or their area. They have claimed more public space than any other party and now they want the wall as well," he said.
The banner is on a specially constructed frame which allows various groups to display banners in support of various campaigns and causes without having to attach them to the wall. It is understood that the frame was erected a number of years ago and has been used by a large number of groups and organisations since then.
Sinn Féin's director of elections in Derry, Andrew McCartney, said; "We made the booking well in advance with the committee in adherence to the standard protocol. We have been in contact with the members of the committee over the weekend to get this issue resolved over the next day or two."
Committee member Tony Doherty, a member of Sinn Fein, who sent the text to Mr McCann, told the 'Journal'; "I have been in contact with both sides and I am hoping for an amicable solution. There is a long-standing protocol and I hope that everyone adheres to that protocol."
http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Election-row-over-Free-Derry.6256055.jp