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

SDLP councillors heckled families at public meeting

Published: 29 August, 2009

Armagh Sinn Féin councillor Mary Doyle has said that she was disgusted by the behaviour of SDLP councillors at a recent public meeting hosted by social development Minister Margaret Ritchie in the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre.

Cllr Doyle was commenting after two families who raised concerns with the Minister regarding their housing conditions were heckled by SDLP councillors in the room.

Cllr Doyle said,

"The purpose of the meeting, as advertised in the paper, was an open discussion with Minister Margaret Ritchie. As Minister Ritchie is responsible for social housing I expected the meeting to be a suitable place to raise concerns on the subject.

"As such I accompanied two families who are currently living in dreadful housing conditions to the meeting.

"The housing condition that these families are living is appalling and has been reported on extensively in the local press. Both families have young children and should be priority cases for the Department of Social Development.

"The response that these families received at the meeting was absolutely despicable. One after the other, each SDLP councillor in the room as well as Dominic Bradley MLA stood up and attempted to shout these people down, telling them that they should not be raising those issues at the meeting. The councillors even laughed during their comments and continually dismissed any concerns raised.

"Minister Ritchie herself also made it quite clear that she had no interest in listening to personal issues. In my opinion the meeting was intended to be a stage managed publicity stunt.

"These families are understandably extremely hurt by the behaviour of those at the meeting. One person was even reduced to tears afterwards."

Cllr Doyle concluded by stating that although the families said they were made feel intimidated and unwelcome they will continue to pursue the Minister in order to ensure that their homes are refurbished to a decent habitable standard