Unionists block good will gesture to minister.

[st333ve]

Northern Ireland News - Bid For Clerics' Honour Fails

http://www.nuzhound.com/articles/iri...f_goodwill.php

Limavady unionists prove they are firmly stuck in the past.

Unionists have decided to block the freedom of Limavady to an exiled minister who was forced out of the town after shaking hands with a catholic priest during Christmas.

A handshake between Mr Armstrong and the local Catholic Priest Father Kevin Mullan was enough to spark outrage within some sections of the Protestant community.
Reverend David Armstrong was hounded out of his church and his home by the violence and controversy that his action caused among hardliners.

Mr Armstrong was labelled a "Lundy" by some angry local people, and he later moved away to England with his family.

Last night councillors rejected calls to grant Mr Armstrong and Father Mullan the honour of Freedom of the Borough giving the excuse that he did not deserve it and hadnt done enough good work.

Despite gaining a positive vote of eight to six – the motion was not carried, as it failed to get the two-thirds support necessary.
It needed 1 unionist vote.

Councillor Michael Coyle, of the SDLP, who brought forward the item, expressed disappointment at the outcome.

"There's nothing to stop me doing the same thing again in 10 days time, but I don't think attitudes are going to change in that time - they have been deep rooted for the last 25 years," he told the waiting press.

Angry at the result, Mr Coyle was puzzled about what his "unionist colleagues were doing".

"What is really disappointing and what angers me is that not one unionist councillor spoke at the debate.

"I'm sure this will be a great disappointment to both David Armstong and Fr Mullan.

[infamous-el-guapo]

I'd like to be able to say that I'm surprised but i'm really not.

The saddest part is that this wasn't just s***kicking back arse of nowhere councillors being mental, Gregory Campbell said that if he'd been on the council he would have done the same thing.

[st333ve]

What a friendly bunch of people eh?

They seem to be on a bigot rampage lately, well so long as they give a very small pathetic excuse for their bigotry they can claim theyre not bigots.

It's a little wink wink to their voters.

[múscailte]

It really is a disgrace that this man is still being given the cold shoulder by Unionists and it certainly puts the death threats that he received in perspective. But then what should one expect from a pig but a grunt.

[CelticAtheist]

Jaysus, sometimes I feel like somehow napalming large sections of rural Northern Ireland.

You'd swear it was 1700 out there sometimes.

[Kf]

Lets be clear here a cursory study of unionist ideology through their bizarre behaviour in Council in the north would firmly support the oft heard "small minded bigots" label thats is regaularly thrown at them.

[blinding]

The conservatives are in merger talks with this party!!!!!
I cant see this mob fitting in with David Camerons modern inclusive and egalitarian Conservative party.
Time for a rethink David.
A merger with this party would be like a U turn of the policies that Cameron has been espousing since he has become leader of the conservatives.
I believe the behaviour of the Conservatives potential partners disserves more widespread coverage on the Island of Britain

[Roger2]

And this was in Limavady - long a stronghold of integrated education.

[múscailte]

Speaking to the Irish News Mr Armstrong stated that he felt the Orange Order were involved in the plot ot get rid of him; which involved the delivery to him of a full-size coffin with his name on it:
“I would be very surprised if they played no part in it. The quick answer to that is yes,”
Speaking about the attitudes of local Unionists he said:
“People would get on with me brilliantly and then some would say, ‘See they were using plastic bullets up in the Bogside last night’ and others would say, ‘Pity it was not lead ones – what do you think your reverence?’
“I would say any form of bullet fired is one too many and they would reply, ‘You’re not one of those, are you?’”
It would appear that they still consider him to be 'one of those'.

Irish News: Orange Order played role in ousting me says minister

[gako]

I heard Mr Armstrong on the radio, thought it was funny. He said some of the people who where against his gestures, towards the catholic community in Limivady, where born again christians. He said that it was odd, but that he preferred many of these people before they where born again, as christians.