SDLP Calls For Calm And Respectful Marching Season

The SDLP’s Ballymena branch has called for a calm and respectful marching season in the town and urged that everyone with influence to work to improve community relations in Ballymena. At its first meeting since the murder of Michael McIlveen members reviewed the situation in the town and heard assessments from its public representatives, Councillors Declan O’Loan and PJ McAvoy, and MLA Seán Farren.

The meeting expressed full support for the stand taken by the party’s public representatives over recent weeks and, in particular, condemned the vilification directed at Councillor O’Loan. Members said that community relations problems in Ballymena need clear political and civic leadership to create a sense where everyone whatever their background feels their traditions are respected.

Speaking after the meeting Seán Farren said, “Political representatives who blame one person for Ballymena’s community relations problems are avoiding the issues that have to be addressed. The town’s community relations problems need us all working together in an honest determination to create much more positive attitudes. Catholic as well as Protestant, Nationalist as well as Unionist, migrant workers and all others who live here must feel under no threat and comfortable in the town.

We must build a partnership between our communities, a partnership based on real respect for our different traditions. The Borough Council has a key role to play in developing a genuine sense of partnership and we strongly urge that it does.”

Councillor PJ McAvoy added, “The SDLP will continue to play its part in contributing to a better community relations climate and is anxious to enter into dialogue with all who are following a similar agenda. We hope the first signs of a better climate will be evident during the rest of the marching season. The SDLP was pleased that last Saturday’s parade by Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster voluntarily chose to go by Wellington St and Church St instead of its original plan and did so out of respect for the McIlveen family. Such actions can contribute significantly to a lowering of tensions at this critical time."