I WILL DEFY VOTE TO RESIGN: MACKEY
I will defy vote to resign: Mackey
By Noel McAdam
Political Correspondent
OMAGH independent councillor Francie Mackey today vowed to defy a council vote demanding his resignation from the district council.
Only Sinn Fein members voted for the resignation call at last night's monthly meeting while other councillors, including the Ulster Unionists and DUP abstained.
The Sinn Fein members proposed an amendment to an original motion claiming that the council would lose credibility if Mr Mackey, a former Sinn Fein councillor, remained a member.
The amendment instead urged Mr Mackey who is chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, to resign because he is no longer a Sinn Fein member.
The 32 County organisation is believed to have links with the Real IRA which admitted responsibility for the Omagh bombing in August which killed 29 people and injured more than 200.
Under council procedures, if an amendment is carried, the initial motion - which was to be proposed by independent Labour councillor John McLaughlin and seconded by Alliance member Ann Gormley - then falls.
Mr Mackey said today: "In effect the original motion was defeated and the issue became just a political football.
"I think there was a certain amount of orchestration and posturing to the media taking place on the part of Sinn Fein, who only managed to display their hypocrisy.
"I think what happened was simply playing to the public gallery and was a disgrace and totally insensitive to the relatives of the bereaved, some of whom were present. as well as councillors who were bereaved."
Mr Mackey. who has unreservedly condemned the bombing, made clear he would not be resigning from the council, but would face the electorate at the next local government elections, which are almost three years away.
"I am an independent. Thirty-two County is not a political party, but I think there will be the opportunity to test my position in a few years time."
By Noel McAdam
Political Correspondent
OMAGH independent councillor Francie Mackey today vowed to defy a council vote demanding his resignation from the district council.
Only Sinn Fein members voted for the resignation call at last night's monthly meeting while other councillors, including the Ulster Unionists and DUP abstained.
The Sinn Fein members proposed an amendment to an original motion claiming that the council would lose credibility if Mr Mackey, a former Sinn Fein councillor, remained a member.
The amendment instead urged Mr Mackey who is chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, to resign because he is no longer a Sinn Fein member.
The 32 County organisation is believed to have links with the Real IRA which admitted responsibility for the Omagh bombing in August which killed 29 people and injured more than 200.
Under council procedures, if an amendment is carried, the initial motion - which was to be proposed by independent Labour councillor John McLaughlin and seconded by Alliance member Ann Gormley - then falls.
Mr Mackey said today: "In effect the original motion was defeated and the issue became just a political football.
"I think there was a certain amount of orchestration and posturing to the media taking place on the part of Sinn Fein, who only managed to display their hypocrisy.
"I think what happened was simply playing to the public gallery and was a disgrace and totally insensitive to the relatives of the bereaved, some of whom were present. as well as councillors who were bereaved."
Mr Mackey. who has unreservedly condemned the bombing, made clear he would not be resigning from the council, but would face the electorate at the next local government elections, which are almost three years away.
"I am an independent. Thirty-two County is not a political party, but I think there will be the opportunity to test my position in a few years time."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0483
Published Date: 04-Nov-98
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