MCLAUGHLIN CALLS FOR MACKEY RESIGNATION
McLaughlin calls for Mackey resignation
Cllr Branded 'hypocrite'
THERE was momentary discord of Omagh District Council on Tuesday night when Labour Councillor, Johnny McLaughlin, supported by Alliance Councillor, Anne Gormley called on dissident republican councillor, Francis Mackey to resign.
Without prior warning Cllr McLaughlin called for the suspension of Standing Orders to discuss a very serious matter, his proposal was seconded by Cllr Gormley and a vote was taken to suspend normal business.
In a blistering attack Cllr McLaughlin said he felt disgusted and sick at the sectarian comment made by Mr. Mackey in the immediate aftermath of the bomb. He went on to say that Councillor Mackey, "In the full glare of the world's media gave the most appalling exhibition of undiluted bigotry ever to blight our television screens. His reprehensible behaviour, beyond any shadow of doubt, exposed his true colours."
He went on to call Cllr Mackey's behaviour 'hypocritical and contemptible' and said that his failure to condemn the slaughter of the innocents had rendered him a political outcast and a figure of scorn in the community.
Calling on Cllr Mackey to state his 'true' position he asked, "Is he as he presently, conveniently claims to be, an independent member as public revulsion rages against him? Or is he, as he described himself, an elected member of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee?"
In addition, he called on the 'cocksure' Councillor to his claim that he had significant public backing to the test by resigning and testing his mandate in a by-election.
Supporting Cllr McLaughlin's stance, Cllr Gormley said she found it increasingly difficult to continue her duties to the public in the presence of someone who could not condemn the bomb or the bombers.
She said, "The Councillor claims membership of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee which has vowed to continue the political battle to end British sovereignty. I would ask the councillor if the Omagh bomb is part of their continued struggle?"
Both Councillors then withdrew from the Chamber as a mark of respect for those who were killed and injured in the bomb.
Responding, Cllr Mackey said it was regrettable that the Councillors had decided to vilify him for something he did not do. "They had not the manners to listen to my side of the story and have chosen to walk out and use cheap expedient politics at the expense of a terrible atrocity."
He went on to say that he did, in fact, condemn the bombing and claimed that his position had been misrepresented by the media.
He said, "As a republican, my position has not changed since the first time I was elected to this Council."
Claiming that the Councillors had their own agenda, he said that the attack on him was 'scurrilous' and broke the working relationship that had previously existed in the Council. None of the other four parties commented.
Cllr Branded 'hypocrite'
THERE was momentary discord of Omagh District Council on Tuesday night when Labour Councillor, Johnny McLaughlin, supported by Alliance Councillor, Anne Gormley called on dissident republican councillor, Francis Mackey to resign.
Without prior warning Cllr McLaughlin called for the suspension of Standing Orders to discuss a very serious matter, his proposal was seconded by Cllr Gormley and a vote was taken to suspend normal business.
In a blistering attack Cllr McLaughlin said he felt disgusted and sick at the sectarian comment made by Mr. Mackey in the immediate aftermath of the bomb. He went on to say that Councillor Mackey, "In the full glare of the world's media gave the most appalling exhibition of undiluted bigotry ever to blight our television screens. His reprehensible behaviour, beyond any shadow of doubt, exposed his true colours."
He went on to call Cllr Mackey's behaviour 'hypocritical and contemptible' and said that his failure to condemn the slaughter of the innocents had rendered him a political outcast and a figure of scorn in the community.
Calling on Cllr Mackey to state his 'true' position he asked, "Is he as he presently, conveniently claims to be, an independent member as public revulsion rages against him? Or is he, as he described himself, an elected member of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee?"
In addition, he called on the 'cocksure' Councillor to his claim that he had significant public backing to the test by resigning and testing his mandate in a by-election.
Supporting Cllr McLaughlin's stance, Cllr Gormley said she found it increasingly difficult to continue her duties to the public in the presence of someone who could not condemn the bomb or the bombers.
She said, "The Councillor claims membership of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee which has vowed to continue the political battle to end British sovereignty. I would ask the councillor if the Omagh bomb is part of their continued struggle?"
Both Councillors then withdrew from the Chamber as a mark of respect for those who were killed and injured in the bomb.
Responding, Cllr Mackey said it was regrettable that the Councillors had decided to vilify him for something he did not do. "They had not the manners to listen to my side of the story and have chosen to walk out and use cheap expedient politics at the expense of a terrible atrocity."
He went on to say that he did, in fact, condemn the bombing and claimed that his position had been misrepresented by the media.
He said, "As a republican, my position has not changed since the first time I was elected to this Council."
Claiming that the Councillors had their own agenda, he said that the attack on him was 'scurrilous' and broke the working relationship that had previously existed in the Council. None of the other four parties commented.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1179
Published Date: 08-Oct-98
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