TUV flag row disrupts new meeting
A meeting of Limavady Borough Council was suspended for a second time in less than a week after a TUV councillor brought a small Union flag into the chamber in protest against the Sinn Féin mayor.
The meeting was put on hold for an hour on Monday evening after Boyd Douglas displayed the flag despite the council’s strict no-flags policy.
Councillor Douglas said he objects to the appointment of Sean McGlinchey as mayor of the borough council.
Mr McGlinchey served 18 years for the murder of six people in an IRA car bombing in Coleraine in 1973.
“It’s unlikely I will have any good working relationship with Sean McGlinchey,” said Mr Douglas.
“He’s a man who’s frowned upon by the unionist electorate of Limavady.”
Mr Douglas told UTV it was a “difficult time” for the people of the area.
“Sunday was the anniversary of the bomb in Coleraine 38 years ago when six people were blown to pieces and many others injured. I was very sympathetic in what I said bearing in mind the loss to those families.”
The meeting resumed after Mr Douglas agreed to take down the flag.
But the TUV councillor said he could not guarantee it will not be produced in the chamber again.
“I will hold the right to fly the flag when I feel I want to. I will not be using the flag in any flippant way, but when I feel it is promoting my cause.”
During the hour-long suspension, Sinn Féin sought legal advice. Mr McGlinchey says he cannot rule out seeking further guidance.
“The issue is still outstanding,” he told UTV. “Councillor Douglas did state he would put the flag up at any meeting any time that he wished.
“We are trying to build working relationships for the better of everybody.”
Flag disrutpion
Flag controversy
