Monday, July 14, 2008
Less Orangefest more Hatefest as Lisburn UUP Mayor fans flames of hate in Stoneyford
No doubt aware of the ongoing campaign of sectarian violence and intimidation in the County Antrim village of Stoneyford- and conscious also of those linked with the attacks, Lisburn’s UUP Mayor, Ronnie Crawford, decided to accept an invite by a local loyalist organisation, Stoneyford Jubilee Committee (Chairperson Mark Harbinson) to ignite the local beacon which had a poster of Sinn Fein MLA Paul Butler atop it to the approving roar of the 300 or so loyalists in attendance.
After Stoneyford loyalist, Mark Harbinson, had rejected money offered by unionist-dominated Lisburn Borough Council on the grounds that it wasn’t enough (in spite of the fact that his organisation should not have even been offered the money according, firstly, to a recommendation by Council officers and, secondly, due to the fact that they hadn’t even appealed their funding rejection when the money was offered) in steps the Mayor to find an alternative ‘funder’ for the Stoneyford beacon, earning the praise of the recently quite active loyalist fraternity in the troubled village.
Mr. Crawford’s weak response when asked why he agreed to light the beacon was “there were 300 people standing there...I wasn’t going to take that thing down.” The story is carried in today’s Andersonstown News (not yet online.)
Chris Donnelly @ 04:11 PM
In fairness, Crawford had his posters burned on the Rathvarna bonfire two years in a row because he objected on behalf of residents about the mess being made of that area by loyalist thugs and Butlers monicker is a regular feature of that bonfire.
Everyone seems to overlook the fact that the event went off peacefully which probably disappoints Butler who is using Stoneyford for his own ends. When Poleglass and Twinbrook go into Belfast consituencies, Butler is out of a job. His posters then will be collectors’ itemsPosted by on Jul 16, 2008 @ 04:28 PMAccording to Talkback the Mayor claims that he negotiated the removal of the material and the use of the beecon and toeing the line on the Parades Commission determination. The money was apparently provided by the CRC so presumably they thought it worthwhile as it probably saved a lot in policing costs. Butlers probably annoyed that the loyalist weren’t attacking the police which with his dastardly record would have been his first preference.
Why are so many bothered about burning a poster? If it takes that to let the thing go peacefully so what?Posted by on Jul 16, 2008 @ 04:53 PMWhy are so many bothered about burning a poster? If it takes that to let the thing go peacefully so what?
Posted by King Arthur on Jul 16, 2008 @ 05:53 PMBecause by lighting their beacon crawford is giving a sign that its okay to intimidate catholics in the area.And especially given the fact that there was also a KAT reference.Are lord mayors not supposed to be representative of the entire community not just a band of bigots.
Posted by on Jul 17, 2008 @ 08:25 AMIn the words of a well known man;
“Forgive them father, they know not what they do”
It is pretty obvious that they just do not understand what it is they are doing, or if they do the complexity of it’s significance.
Posted by on Jul 17, 2008 @ 09:15 AMAny intimidation of Catholics in Stoneyford or anywhere else is completely unjustified and wrong - it needs to end sooner rather than later.
To be fair to Crawford in this instance - he found himself in a very unenviable position where what was morally correct and the course of action that would lead to his safe exit from the scene diverged spectacularly.....
As for Butler as a life long commited and militant enemy of the NI Unionist community - the burning of his image though counter-productive to society as we move forward is something I cannot bring myself to get too worked up about in anger....Posted by on Jul 17, 2008 @ 01:45 PM“Forgive them father, they know not what they do”
Cllr. Crawford’s brother was murdered by the IRA some years ago, yet when Micky Ferguson died he paid him a fulsome tribute, carried by the Andytown news, and attended his funeral. That is hardly the hallmark of a bigot.
As for Butler speaking on community relations, it is like listening to the concentration camp commandant talking about air pollutionPosted by on Jul 18, 2008 @ 04:35 AMOoolstar Skats oor tha mastar rayce who balit Amerika single handedly so they did.
Ioooocant vactims oof athnec cleinsing by taigs
Posted by on Jul 19, 2008 @ 10:07 PM
