Council resolution calls for cancelling of RIC commemoration

A RESOLUTION calling for the controversial RIC commemoration to be cancelled completely was passed by Mayo County Council today (Monday).

Cathaoirleach Councillor Brendan Mulroy was congratulated by his colleagues for his stance in declaring he would not attend the since deferred commemoration for members of the RIC and Dublin Metropolitan Police for their work prior to Irish Independence.

The event was due to be held in Dublin Castle on January 17.

Councillor Mulroy announced his decision a week ago and when the council met today, his Fianna Fáil colleague Councillor Damien Ryan paid tribute to him.

The event, Councillor Ryan noted, has been deferred. However, he felt it needs to be 'cancelled completely' and he proposed they pass a resolution in that regard.

Seconding the proposal, Councillor Al McDonnell told the cathaoirleach: “You spoke for me as well.”

Fine Gael's Councillor Gerry Coyle said he would not be represented at the event either, telling the cathaoirleach: “I was glad to see the stance you took.”

Councillor Mulroy said he made the decision to go public on it and he did it on behalf of every elected members of the council.

The commemoration was not a good idea. On this issue, it was important all political parties and independents were united.

Independent Councillor John O'Malley said it was an 'outrage' to try and go ahead with such a commemoration.

He noted how the diaspora had heard about it and now 'Come out you black and tans' was at No. 1 in Ireland and England.