Northern Ireland

DUP councillor Phillip Brett praised for sending message of support to St Enda's GAA club ahead of historic match

 DUP councillor Phillip Brett (left) and his brother Gavin Brett who was shot dead by loyalists as he stood chatting to friends close to the entrance of St Enda's GAC in 2001
 DUP councillor Phillip Brett (left) and his brother Gavin Brett who was shot dead by loyalists as he stood chatting to friends close to the entrance of St Enda's GAC in 2001  DUP councillor Phillip Brett (left) and his brother Gavin Brett who was shot dead by loyalists as he stood chatting to friends close to the entrance of St Enda's GAC in 2001

A DUP councillor has been praised for sending a north Belfast GAA club a message of support ahead of a historic match.

Phillip Brett, who represents the Glengormley area on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, posted the tweet on Saturday ahead of St Enda's Ulster Intermediate Championship Final clash with Cavan club Mullahoran.

In July 2001, Mr Brett's brother Gavin was shot dead close to the GAA club's entrance on Hightown Road in Glengormley by loyalist paramilitaries who mistook him for a Catholic.

The 18-year-old was gunned down as he stood chatting to a group of Catholic and Protestant friends.

Read more:

  • History makers St Enda's see off Mullahoran to claim first Ulster Championship title
  • St Enda's Glengormley - a club that never took a backward step

Before the game - which St Enda's won by four points - Mr Brett tweeted: "Best wishes to St Enda's as they aim to become the first ever Ulster Intermediate Football Champions from Antrim.

"Lots of support on show in Glengormley this morning."

The message was subsequently re-tweeted by the North Belfast branch of the DUP and party councillor Thomas Hogg.

Gavin Brett was shot dead by loyalists in 2001
Gavin Brett was shot dead by loyalists in 2001 Gavin Brett was shot dead by loyalists in 2001

One message left in reply said: "Well done Phil for saying that."

Another added: "Fair play Phillip. Good shout."

In September 2017, Emma Little-Pengelly, the DUP MP for South Belfast, was also praised for tweeting congratulations to Carryduff GAA after the club's senior ladies team won the Down county title.

Read more:

  • History makers St Enda's see off Mullahoran to claim first Ulster Championship title
  • St Enda's Glengormley - a club that never took a backward step