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Derry and Strabane Council rejects Sinn Féin Irish language Christmas signs

Christmas signs in English and Irish at Belfast city hall
Christmas signs in English and Irish at Belfast city hall Christmas signs in English and Irish at Belfast city hall

DERRY and Strabane council has rejected a Sinn Féin call for festive greetings in Irish to be erected as part of annual Christmas lights displays.

The move was proposed at a meeting of the district council last night by Karina Carlin.

Unionist councillors suggested that signs be erected in Irish, Ulster-Scots and English, but both proposals were eventually defeated in favour of an SDLP amendment calling for an impact assessment.

SDLP councillor Tina Gardiner proposed that the council “consider the equality impact, cost benefits and logistics of procuring and erecting festive greetings in other languages spoken by citizens in the region”.

In a separate debate, councillors passed a motion supporting the 'Derry Four' – Gerry McGowan, Michael Toner, Gerry Kelly and Stephen Crumlish – who were wrongly charged as teenagers with the 1979 murder of a British soldier.

The four skipped bail and spent 20 years living in the Republic before all charges were dropped.

SDLP councillor John Boyle proposed that the council call on chief constable George Hamilton to ensure outstanding police inquiries are completed so that a Police Ombudsman’s report could be delivered.