Saying No to Mary

The President of the RoI Mary McAleese has visited Millburn Primary School in Coleraine. A crowd of between 30 and 50 jeered her and her husband. The headmaster of the school has reported that he has suffered intimidation over the visit.From the Newsletter: John Moffat of the local resident’s association said the community was showing its distaste at the President’s presence.

“The school asked us for our opinions and we said we didn’t want to hear”

“This is not only a protest about the President’s visit, but also at the way the school has handled things.

“There was the Nazi comments and it has been claimed that the Queen wouldn’t be able to visit the Irish Republic until policing and justice powers are devolved to Stormont, yet she can come up here without any pre-conditions.”

Some in local community have complained about a lack of consultation (including on the Radio Ulster report some parents) but this has been denied by the headmaster John Platt.

This is the same school which was previously involved in controversy when Catriona Ruane visited it and subsequently a number of break-ins occurred which were blamed on loyalists though the UPRG denied UDA involvement.

Update:
Jim Allister seems less than impressed by Mrs. McAleese’s visit issuing the following statement:
“Considering the flagrant way she troops all over Northern Ireland, treating it as if it were her own, it will do no harm that today President McAleese met a grassroots protest in Coleraine.
She pours out periodic vitriol against the majority community, even has the audacity to come to Northern Ireland the day the Queen visits and pontificate about when and how Her Majesty will be permitted to visit the Republic. I’m not surprised, therefore, that today ordinary Unionists took the opportunity to speak their mind. It’s a pity we don’t have a government capable or willing to put Mrs McAleese in her place, then street protests would be unnecessary.”