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Sinn Féin slams council in row over Irish language week

Sinn Féin councillor Patrice Hardy
Sinn Féin councillor Patrice Hardy Sinn Féin councillor Patrice Hardy

A UNIONIST-majority council, that since its formation has spent just £355 on Irish language events, has been criticised by Sinn Féin in a row over a vote on Irish Language Week.

Mid and East Antrim council on Monday night discussed a proposal to host an event in March as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge 2018.

Irish-language organisation Conradh na Gaeilge had written to the council asking it to consider providing funding for groups or organising its own event.

Most councillors instead backed a TUV representative's proposal to note the correspondence and refer the group to the council's grants scheme.

Mid and East Antrim council last night said the mayor is still "committed to hosting an event to mark Irish Language Week".

But Sinn Féin councillors Patrice Hardy and James McKeown hit out at the council vote.

Ms Hardy said that since its formation the council has only spent £355 on Irish ­ which she said was spent on a "finger buffet" last April during a presentation on Irish held solely for councillors.

"Thousands of pounds is spent every year on armed forces, the monarchy and Ulster Scots. Unionists are entitled to remember their dead and celebrate their culture. We have no problem with this. However this is never reciprocated," she said.

Mr McKeown branded the council vote an "absolute disgrace", saying: "It's astounding the lengths they will go to deny anyone who identifies themselves as part of Irish culture."

However, TUV councillor Timothy Gaston, whose proposal was backed by most councillors, dismissed the criticism and accused Sinn Féin of politicising the Irish language.

"Council have a process in place for all organisations wishing to hold events in the borough and that's administered through our grants programme," he said.

Mid and East Antrim council said it "promotes grant funding for a wide range of community initiatives and projects".

A spokesman added: "The mayor is committed to hosting an event to mark Irish Language Week in Mid and East Antrim, similar to last year's event."