Criticism over Bellaghy republican commemoration event

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Monday, 8 August 2016 10:56

There’s been criticism over yesterday’s republican commemoration event in Bellaghy.

It was held to mark the death of Thomas McElwee.

He died on hunger strike exactly 35 years ago today.

Spokesperson for Innocent Victims United Kenny Donaldson says the hunger strike was a human tragedy. However he says events such as these should not be a public display.

"The death of ten men on hunger strike was a human tragedy and no-on with a semblance of Christianity within their DNA would take glee in their demise.

"The families left behind of Thomas McElwee, Bobby Sands and others mourn their loss and we acknowledge that. But what we will not ever acknowledge or accept is the manipulation of the truth, the ten men who died on hunger strike were terrorists, insurrectionists and criminals,” he adds.