by Adrian Mullan

THERE was a walk-out at the Irish National Forester's AGM in Omagh on Sunday last, following a vote not to take part in this year's St Patrick's Day parade which is being organised by Omagh District Council.

There is continuing friction between the council and the INF following the blocking of a fire entrance to the rear of the INF Hall in George's Street during the building of the Strule Arts Centre. Indeed, it is understood that a legal case in which the INF club is claiming that the council encroached on its lands is due to go to the High Court in September.

Two senior INF members walked out in disgust after Sunday evening's vote not to take part in the parade was passed by just one vote with some 25 abstentions.

Now it has been reported that the two who walked out – former INF secretary Gerry McCusker and prospective Senior Ranger candidate Alex Kyle – could be summoned before the Foresters' disciplinary committee to explain their actions.

Last year, the Foresters decided not to take part in the parade because of the friction between the council and the INF.

However, members consider this year's internal row so serious that it threatens to split the organisation locally. One member who spoke to the UlsterHerald, but who did not want to be identified, said that feelings were running very high on the subject. He said many of those who wished to parade on St Patrick's Day are "disgusted" by the decision to boycott the parade simply because it is being organised by the council. Additionally, he said, there had been talk of a break

Chief Ranger Ricky Dunne said he was not at liberty to discuss anything that was talked about at the meeting as it was confidential. However, he did say that a majority of members voted not to take part in the parade and, as a democratic organisation, the branch (Bishop Kelly branch) had to abide by the decision of its members. He also wished the organisers of the parade the best of luck.

He dismissed talk of a split or of the formation of a break-away INF club in Omagh.

"Everything is done democratically, but this is an emotional issue with us.

"There has been a lot of bad feeling about what happened at the back of our premises and we have to abide by what our members tell us. The bad feeling has lingered on because no matter who we spoke to (in the council), no one could help us."

Four individual club members who voted to take part in the parade and who spoke to the Herald bitterly opposed the decision and said it casts the club in a poor light at a time when it is trying to attract new members.