New debate over park named after hunger striker

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A new debate's to take place over the naming of a Newry playground after a hunger striker.

It follows a meeting of councillors with Equality Commission representatives yesterday at a special council meeting.
The Commission originally approved the controversially named Raymond McCreesh park in 2001, but recommended the council debate and review it.
The council did, and in 2012 concluded it would remain.
The Commission approved this review, but after legal action by a Bessbrook mother whose son was murdered by the IRA, it U-turned.
At yesterday's meeting Commission representatives said they rescinded approval because the council should have held their debates publicly not in closed committees.
They also said the full consultation paperwork wasn't available to members before they voted.
But a source who chose to withhold their identity, told Q Radio, the council had followed the Commission's recommendations to the letter, and claims that faced with legal action the Commission moved the goalposts.
It's understood a fresh debate on the name will take place before February 2017. 
In order for their vote to count at the new debate councillors are unable to comment publicly about it before then.

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