Holocaust Week proposal leads to ‘disgusting’ debate

A PROPOSAL at Derry City and Strabane council asking for a minute’s silence to mark Holocaust Week led to a debate which some elected representatives called ‘disgusting’.

Alliance’s Phillip McKinney made the proposal during Chairperson’s business saying, “Deputy Mayor I would ask that you allow council to hold a minute’s silence to remember all those who have perished through acts of genocide since the Second World War – China, Rwanda, Cambodia, Bosnia and Dhofar.”

Independent Cllr Gary Donnelly made an amendment saying, “I agree it should be done but I would also include in that list something which is pre-Second World War and that’s an Gorta Mór, some may know it as the Irish Famine which I also believe was genocide.”

Whilst supporting the original proposal, Derg councillor Derek Hussey commented, “The initial proposal is with regard to genocides which have occurred since World War II and whilst I understand Cllr Donnolly’s position, I could include the 1641 massacre of Protestants in Ireland and many other events.

“To accept this amendment denigrates, in my opinion, the initial proposal so I will not be supporting the amendment.”

The amendment carried with 28 votes for and five against.

Cllr McKinney added, “I can’t understand why there are some people within this chamber and the remote chamber as well who have pushed to make this into a political debate… to make it a political statement is ludicrous and they should hang their heads in shame.”

Cllr Hussey came back, proposing a further amendment which read, “being mindful of how close our society came to a genocide during the so called Troubles, we also condemn the attempted genocide of Protestants along the Fermanagh and Tyrone border by republican terrorists.”

Cllr McKinney stated he was ‘totally disgusted’ that his proposal had become a political debate and it had become a case of ‘them and us’.

“It’s the old blame game again,” he added.

“I just wish the politics could be taken out of it and just concentrate on the atrocities that had been carried out and put in the motion.”

Welcoming Cllr McKinney’s original motion, People Before Profit’s Shaun Harkin said, “Cllr Donnelly is within his right and our right to add in the Great Hunger, it shouldn’t have been an issue.”

He added, “I would urge that if Alderman Hussey wants to stick with his amendment that people reject it because it is just toxic.”

Cllr Hussey’s amendment fell before the substantive motion passed with votes 30 for, 1 against and 3 abstentions.

The chamber subsequently stood for a minute’s silence.