JOB PRESSURE FOR HARDLINE FIGURES
Job pressure for hardline figures
By Martin Anderson
THE future employment of two of the most central figures in the traumatic events of the summer remains surrounded by uncertainty.
Portadown Orange Order spokesman David Jones and Omagh councillor Francis Mackey have come under increasing pressure to resign from their public sector jobs as recent events unfolded.
Mr Jones first came to prominence during this year's Drumcree standoff when he dealt with all media enquiries.
His hard line stance and some of the statements he made led to complaints being made to the Armagh and Dungannon Health Trust where he works as a social worker.
His comments after the death of the Quinn brothers in Ballymoney, and after the recent death of RUC constable Frankie O'Reilly drew strong criticism from politicians and public alike.
Pauline Stanley, chief executive of the trust, said an investigation would be launched into any employee who had complaints made against them.
The Irish News has learned that the internal investigation into Mr Jones position as a social worker is "still ongoing".
An official trust spokesman said: "The trust is not in a position to comment on this matter."
Mr Jones currently works in an information-gathering capacity in the trust's social work department and does not have any direct contact with the public.
But a source close to the trust said: "He may not have day-to-day contact with the public but he does have access to personal and confidential information."
On the other side of the political spectrum, Omagh councillor Francis Mackey is coming under intense pressure from local people to quit his Sperrin Lakeland Trust job.
Mr Mackey, chair of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, was criticised after when he refused to condemn the Omagh bomb in front of the world's media.
He has since publicly condemned the bombing.
A colleague of Mr Mackey has revealed he is off on "sick leave" and is not believed to have returned to work since the August bombing.
By Martin Anderson
THE future employment of two of the most central figures in the traumatic events of the summer remains surrounded by uncertainty.
Portadown Orange Order spokesman David Jones and Omagh councillor Francis Mackey have come under increasing pressure to resign from their public sector jobs as recent events unfolded.
Mr Jones first came to prominence during this year's Drumcree standoff when he dealt with all media enquiries.
His hard line stance and some of the statements he made led to complaints being made to the Armagh and Dungannon Health Trust where he works as a social worker.
His comments after the death of the Quinn brothers in Ballymoney, and after the recent death of RUC constable Frankie O'Reilly drew strong criticism from politicians and public alike.
Pauline Stanley, chief executive of the trust, said an investigation would be launched into any employee who had complaints made against them.
The Irish News has learned that the internal investigation into Mr Jones position as a social worker is "still ongoing".
An official trust spokesman said: "The trust is not in a position to comment on this matter."
Mr Jones currently works in an information-gathering capacity in the trust's social work department and does not have any direct contact with the public.
But a source close to the trust said: "He may not have day-to-day contact with the public but he does have access to personal and confidential information."
On the other side of the political spectrum, Omagh councillor Francis Mackey is coming under intense pressure from local people to quit his Sperrin Lakeland Trust job.
Mr Mackey, chair of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, was criticised after when he refused to condemn the Omagh bomb in front of the world's media.
He has since publicly condemned the bombing.
A colleague of Mr Mackey has revealed he is off on "sick leave" and is not believed to have returned to work since the August bombing.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0447
Published Date: 16-Oct-98
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