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Sinn Fein Belfast Mayor resigns to avoid meeting with the Queen of England

Republican to step aside ahead of Jubilee celebrations

PATRICK COUNIHAN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Monday, April 23, 2012, 7:18 AM

Updated Monday, April 23, 2012, 10:49 AM

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Belfast’s Republican Lord Mayor Niall O Donnghaile

Photo by Google Images

Belfast’s Republican Lord Mayor is to leave office ahead of schedule – to avoid celebrating the Queen of England’s diamond jubilee landmark.

Sinn Fein member Niall O Donnghaile has confirmed he will leave office and allow the Unionist DUP candidate to lead the June celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee.

The new Mayor, believed to be Gavin Robinson, will be elected on June 1st ahead of the planned celebrations to mark the Queen’s 60 years on the English throne.

Sinn Fein group party leader on Belfast City Council, Jim McVeigh, told reporters: “We knew that the Jubilee celebrations were coming up and had a discussion with the DUP about that.

“We were happy to come out of that role and they were happy to come in a little bit early because of the issue of the anniversary.

The Queen is due to visit Northern Ireland as part of the jubilee celebrations and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, also deputy Sinn Fein leader, had also said he was prepared to consider meeting her if he had been elected President of Ireland.

But McVeigh added: “We as republicans obviously are not keen to celebrate the Jubilee in any shape or form. But, we have supported the recent round of funding when it came before council and we are happy for unionists to celebrate if they so wish.

“But, it is not something that we would be involved in as republicans.

“This is as much about accommodating the unionists as about us not wanting to be part of the Jubilee celebrations. We are republicans and have no great love for the royalty in any shape or form. We do not want to be part of the celebrations.

“A unionist Mayor would love to be on that seat when a member of the Royalty or maybe even the Queen herself comes to Belfast.”

Some Unionists have described the latest Sinn Fein move as a ‘snub’ to the English monarch.

“It is definitely a snub,” said former Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers, speaking to the Irish Independent. “It is unfortunate in view of what the Deputy First Minister said last year — that he would meet the Queen.

“When I was Lord Mayor I met a wide range of people from both sides. I was criticised both publicly and privately for it - but I believe you have to lead to the city and you have to be above politics.

“Unfortunately this current Lord Mayor has been one of the most political that I can remember in more than 20 years in council.”

DUP deputy Lord Mayor Ruth Patterson said: “I thought that the current Lord Mayor would have learned a severe lesson from when he refused to present an Army cadet with a certificate last December.”

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124 Comments

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NYCsheridan | Jun 03, 2012, 08:33 AM EDT

Allan and sean, get a room. Nobody cares. Grow up, the two of you.

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allan07 | May 04, 2012, 04:15 PM EDT

@seanomelb you proved several things. 1. You stated on 29th April 09:11 EDT that St. Columba won the battle of Cul Dreimhne. QUOTE "Colmcille won the battle of Cul Dreimhne and sent king Dairmid packing" UNQUOTE. Of course your simply incorrect. It couldn't be more untrue. St. Columba lost 3000 men the king almost zero. Who lost? 2. The presbyterian Church started in Greece and moved through Europe about 1500 years ago. There were dissenters to Roman Catholicism before the King Henry. The Greek Orthodox Church broke away from Roman Catholicism many years before the Protestant Reformation. Presbyterianism also commenced in Scotland about a thousand years ago. Iona is the starting point in Western Europe. My presbyterian books also state the same. The Roman Catholic Church is finished as its immoral. Even Bin Laden seen that was the case several years ago. Game over for the Roman Candles.

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seanomelb | May 03, 2012, 10:25 PM EDT

Well Alan07 I proved to you that Presbyterianism did not start 1000yrs. ago in Iona what more do you want??

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allan07 | May 02, 2012, 03:18 PM EDT

@seanomelb Columba was a student of religion at Clonard Abbey in Ireland under St. Finnan. When St. Finnan was away Columba copied the manuscripts (in Latin) of Psalms which were important at the time to religious scholars. Before Finnan left it was promised by Columba that he would not copy these manuscripts. On his return St. Finnan found out that Columba had copied them and demanded the copy. Columbia refused and the matter went to court. The king (Diarmait) said "To every cow its calf; to every manuscript its copy". Even after the court case Columba refused to return the copy and columba raised arms against the king. St Brendan was alleged to have spoken on behalf of Columba and it was agreed Columba would go into exile. Before he went into exile a war resulted in 561 at Cul Dreimhne in which over 3000 of Columba family, relatives and suppporters were killed. A few of the kings forces died. Columba went into exile and was granted land at Iona. Far enough away from Ireland so he could not see his homeland. Read Lowells Blog St. Columba and charlesjames hubpages An intellient history website. So Columba lost 3000, the king a few. So Columba was hardly a saint for in effect copying manuscripts which he agreed not to copy, then not returning them.(Even after a judgement by the king). Like I said Saints don't exist on planet earth. Its a myth. I suppose you will find fault with the many sources of history i have used. Whos got a tilted view of history now? Any questions? Roman Catholicism in Ireland are certainly not after the sexual abuse cases and the cover up which followed. Immoral and corrupt the lot.

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allan07 | May 02, 2012, 02:49 PM EDT

@seanomelb you were married in the Presbyterian Church. Well so was i and baptisted there and did my holy communion there. So thats makes me a presbyterian. But your not as you weren't baptisted there or had holy communion there. The Roman Empire abuses and occupation isn't an anology as you claim its fact. They invaded many European countries causing millions to die over a 500 year period. Brutality, rape, execution of opponents, destruction and many wars. Thats how Roman Catholicism spread throughout Europe by force of arms and occupation. Which part of the truth don't you like. The bare facts perhaps.

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seanomelb | Apr 30, 2012, 07:39 PM EDT

The roman army analogy is silly you're clutching at straws. Quote me the source which states Colmcille lost the battle!! I really don't care which British king won the battle of the Boyne, you drift into silly data to bolster your false premises and make yourself look foolish.

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allan07 | Apr 30, 2012, 04:40 PM EDT

@seanomelb by Colmcille you mean St. Columbia. I have got a slanted view of history? So when the Roman Empire invaded quite a few countries in Europe did they seek the opinions of the people whom lived there? No. They used force of arms, a navy and a huge army. Brutality in the extreme. Their religion was forced upon the people and if you didnt like it well death. So Roman Catholicism was spread by occupation by the Roman Empire. Lets face it wasn't it the said pontius pilate the Roman Governor whom imposed taxes upon the people. He also nailed a man called Jesus to the cross. Hardly the behaviour of angels. So the Roman Empire denigrated the Jewish religion. St. Columbia was granted land at Iona but he didnt own it. Not the same thing. He also lost the Battle of Cul Dreimhne thats why he feld to Scotland. I suppose you believe James won the battle of the Boyne on 1st July 1690. Your view of history is a tilted as the north face of the eiger. You should read history but dont change it.

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seanomelb | Apr 29, 2012, 09:11 PM EDT

I never stated that "saints" were the sole ownership of the Catholic church I don't really care what saint is attached to which religion.I am not a practicing RC and I was married in the Presbyterian church. Unlike you I do not denigrate any religion.I take umbrage to your slanted view of history(or mythology) and your religious bigotry.Colmcille won the battle of Cul Dreimhne and sent king Diarmid packing. I note you accept that the Scottish west was Irish territory at the time. Scottish music and Gaelic are the fruits of the Irish colonisation of Scotland.

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allan07 | Apr 29, 2012, 05:03 PM EDT

@seanomelb the annals is that written by the Roman Catholic Church? Theres the problem. Surprise surprise they are telling lies when they are all godly saints. Not! In 563 St Columba was granted land of Scotland. Of course he fled Ireland as he quarrelled with Saint Finnian and this led to a battle Cul Dreimjne in 561. Saints are a myth in my opinion. Self gratification to promote a religion. Rubbish and waffle. Saints are not the property of the RC Church however. St. Columbia is held in high esteem within several religions. Anglician Communion, Lutheran Church, Eastern Orthodoxy and yes in my church Presbyterian. But i think its pants. In Omagh County Tyrone the Church of Ireland have a St. Columbia Church. Yes i have even been in there on many occasions even although I am not Church of Ireland. I do refuse to their prayers as its too RC. Anglicians believe in saints. Well theres St. Pauls Cathedral, St. Martins in the Field both in London. Lots of Church of England Schools use saints in their titles. Then theres St. Barts hospital in England. Famous heart hospital. You call me a bigot. Never. I have a open mind. Why do you defend the RC Church as if they were your mother? I will have to find my Presbyterian boks and teach you much. Presbyterianism existed many years before Henry V111. Lots of churches broke away from the Roman Catholic church. Greek orthodoxy did. The Roman Empire simply used brutal force to force their religion onto everyone. It all boils down to control, money and ensuring that they held control for their own well being. To hell with anyone else.

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Paradigm | Apr 29, 2012, 07:43 AM EDT

What a cosy little 'guilt-avoidance' bunch we have running Ulster. Martin screws Peter privately and Peter says "Martin, shake hands with H.M. - then it will be too embarrassing for the Law to pursue you over your past - look how I got away with it". To think good Ulstermen and women gave their lives for this dishonourable carve-up!

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DanOLoingsigh | Apr 29, 2012, 07:10 AM EDT

the Venerable Bede, Anglo-Saxon monk and author of ‘the Ecclesiastical History of the English People’ (the foundation-stone of the known history of England,) in about 731 AD, is silent on this matter, so cannot be used as a witness by either side...

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barneyjo | Apr 29, 2012, 05:21 AM EDT

@allan07 - Catholic Presbyterians are to be feared; worst of the lot :)

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seanomelb | Apr 28, 2012, 08:39 PM EDT

Allan07 There is no mention in the annals that Ninian ever saw Iona, the writings of Bede and others confirm this.Ninian built his church called "Candida Casa" which is now called whitethorn situated in Galloway. You cannot justify your bigotry by making up fairytales. Even St. Pat mentions St.Ninian and no Iona is mentioned.Remember Iona was part of Dal Riada Ireland's Scottish territory and that is why Iona was given to Colmcille.

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seamus60 | Apr 28, 2012, 08:26 PM EDT

Poor Niall doesn`t know whether he`s coming or going. all this, only for the man who put him in his place and made him look a total twat earlier in his year of fame, to now get ready himself to suck the glove clean off her (his leaders) hand should he get the chance. Can`t be very nice for Niall, but lay down with the dogs and you know what to expect.

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allan07 | Apr 28, 2012, 07:23 PM EDT

@barneyjo i fear no-one. Not even death itself. When its your turn its your turn. Like my friend who was shot in the face by the IRA said to me about death before he was murdered "If its meant for you it ain't going to go past you".

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