Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Conor Murphy calls for special peace 111 funding meeting after proposals for Newry concert are rejected

Published: 21 June, 2009

Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh, Conor Murphy has called for an urgent meeting of the Peace 111 funding group in order to review a decision it made regarding an open air concert in Newry. A proposal for an open air concert in Down GAA ground Pairc Esler was put to the Southern Cluster Parntership last Thursday but was rejected by unionist councillors and social partners on the grounds that it would be on a Sunday. Mr Murphy said, "This concert would be a great event for families across Armagh and Down and would bring an influx of people to Newry which would give a welcome economic boost to the area." Mr Murphy explained that the £70,000 which would be allocated for the event would be lost to the area and would be returned to Europe. "This huge some money will be lost to our community unless this decision is reviewed."