By Rosetta Donnelly
A MAJOR row erupted in Omagh District Council (ODC) on Tuesday night after the UUP asked the Sinn Féin chairman to host a reception for the Territorial Army.
UUP councillor Ross Hussey, a former RIR man, compared Tyrone members serving in the Territorial Army as being equivalent to the Tyrone Senior GAA team – both worthy of being honoured by their local council.
However, ODC chair Martin McColgan promptly refused the request and warned he did not want to see it happening through any 'back door' method.
He said the request to host a chairman's reception for the TA showed little comprehension of nationalists' attitude towards the British Army.
"In the past I have supported ventures for non-nationalist projects but something such as a honouring a military group is not something I will be doing," said Cllr McColgan.
The bid to recognise the Territorial Army in its 100th birthday was first raised by the UUP's Allan Rainey who, prior to Tuesday's council meeting, had 'sounded out' Sinn Féin and the Independent members to see if they would vote for his motion.
This act in itself infuriated the DUP which felt snubbed at not being consulted by the UUP.
UUP councillor Bert Wilson said he felt the reception would honour TA members from across the political divide.
"The TA has members from both sides of the community and for that reason I thought this proposal would have been passed, but that is not going to happen and I am disappointed," said Çllr Wilson.
disappointed
Cllr Ross Hussey said he was very disappointed at objections to the motion. "The TA has Tyrone people in it and surely they are as worthy of a reception by the council chairman as the Tyrone senior football team?," he asked
Cllr Seamus Shields, SDLP, said the fact that the such a controversial proposal was made at the very end of the meeting was unsatisfactory as some members had already left.
"For this to be raised under 'any other business' is far from ideal and I feel it should be adjourned to allow proper debate to take place," he said.
Josephine Deehan, SDLP vice chairman, said, as a nationalist, she fully understood the position of the Sinn Féin party.
However, as vice chair she said she would be willing to play a lead role in hosting the reception if it was something agreed by the council.
Cllr Declan McAleer said there seemed to be a complete lack of understanding by unionist members on the council of Sinn Féin's position on the issue. "I think it is disingenuous of Ross Hussey to link the Tyrone team to the Territorial Army," he added.
Supporting the motion, the DUP's Charlie Chittick said with the North moving out of the dark days of the Troubles, he thought Sinn Féin would have been more supportive. "I thought they would show leadership on this issue to prove that diverse cultures are being embraced".
After discussing the issue for an hour the councillors eventually sought the advice of the chief executive who advised them it might be better to adjourn to another meeting where every councillor would be present and be prepared for the debate.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Clive McFarland claimed that the UUP had kept the DUP in the dark over this matter.
"The UUP had clearly discussed their plans with the Sinn Féin group on council whilst not even having mentioned the proposal to DUP councillors prior to it being proposed in the council chamber."
He also said that he believed any future attempt to debate the motion in the council would not only be unsuccessful, but would also be counterproductive to the ideal of paying tribute to those who served in the TA.
