I have read with extreme disappointment and an element of anger Jack Mulcahy's letter in last Thursday's UH.

The letter clearly implies that a local councillor can park his "not so inconsiderable black Cadillac" outside the Ulster Unionist Office in Campsie. He also refers to the fact that the disabled bay was occupied and that a traffic attendant would not allow him to attend to his "three-minute message". Although names were not used in the letter's allegations, it was clear who the finger of suspicion was pointed at. Clearly the allegation is made against me. I do not know the letter writer. (In fact, I want to arrange a meeting so he could make these allegations on a one-to-one basis.)

There are single and double-yellow lines in the Campsie area. Those with a disabled badge are allowed to park on a single yellow line in certain circumstances. I am the holder of such a blue badge and, whilst I am not prepared to divulge my medical history to the people of Tyrone in this letter, I am more than willing to meet Mr Mulcahy and explain my medical condition to him.

I do not have any special arrangements with the traffic attendants and I am not breaching any traffic regulation. Mr Mulcahy implies by the wording of his letter that he, too, is disabled. If this is the case, he would have been allowed to park on the double yellow lines to complete his message if his blue badge was clearly displayed. I have had many dealings with the traffic attendants – and with their employing authority – appealing tickets which were issued to "law-abiding citizens" that parked on double or single yellow lines and in various parking bays in Omagh.

I hope this has resolved the allegation of the "law applying to some and not to others". Should Mr Mulcahy wish to make further unfounded allegations against me in relation to parking, he can report the matter to DRD Roads Service.

I move on to the suggestion in Mr Mulcahy's letter that my "silly pride" prompted me to criticise Cllr Johnny McLaughlin's comments in a previous edition of the UH in relation to the ongoing dispute in River Row. I suppose to a certain degree he is correct, but I repeat that Omagh councillors did not disregard the people of River Row and their legitimate concerns for a voice in relation to the work that is ongoing near their homes. This can be confirmed by reference to the Omagh District Council website and accessing the various council minutes. The fact that so many spoke on their behalf is an indication of our concerns. Certainly 'talk is cheap' but I have been involved within the community where I live on various issues and, if Mr Mulcahy knew me, he would know that , when I give support to an issue, I do give 100% commitment. I also have the highest regard for Cllr McLaughlin and his attempts to have this matter resolved.

Attempting to humiliate me by libellous comments will not resolve the issue any quicker and I invite Mr Mulcahy or residents of River Row to meet me to discuss their concerns.

Cllr Ross M Hussey