Divisive saga of McCreesh Park looks set to end as council plans sale of site
THE DUP has welcomed a decision by a council to sell off a children’s play park controversially named after an IRA hunger striker.
Raymond McCreesh Park in Newry has been at the centre of a festering row for years.
But last night DUP MLA William Irwin said he was glad that the issue was finally being brought to a close with the sale by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
“People of every background have been appalled that a children’s play park was named in honour of someone involved in sectarian murder,” the Newry and Armagh MLA said.
“The disposal of this land may finally see a conclusion to a saga which should have been dealt with many years ago.
“Opportunities to remove this grossly offensive name were repeatedly refused and even the legal action brought by a victim of terrorism was not respected by some councillors.
“Whilst this may now allow the issue to finally be brought to a close, I will continue to work closely with party colleagues and others to ensure that the process is closely monitored.”
The park was renamed in honour of the IRA man in 2001.
Unionists and victims had repeatedly called for the name to be changed.
However, Sinn Fein always insisted that the name was supported by local residents.
The SDLP initially supported the renaming of the park, but has changed its stance in recent years.
McCreesh, from Camlough in south Armagh, was found in possession of a rifle used in the 1976 Kingsmill Massacre when he was captured later that year.
Ten people were slaughtered in the IRA attack.
McCreesh was one of 10 republican prisoners who died in the 1981 Maze hunger strike.
His convictions included attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, possession of firearms with intent to endanger life and IRA membership.
Following a report into play park provision in the council area, it was decided to dispose of the site and replace it with a new one nearby.
There are also plans to build 200 houses in the area.
Other public bodies will now have first refusal on the land, at Patrick Street in the city.
Sinn Fein councillor Liz Kimmins said that the party wanted further public consultation on the issue.
“The people in the Ballybot and Barcroft areas have strongly supported the name to stay,” she said.
“There have been a number of consultations over time.
“The SDLP, in my opinion, are finishing the work of the Orange Order.”
SDLP councillor Michael Savage said Sinn Fein backed the sale, and the community would be consulted on options by the council.
“Sinn Fein, along with the other parties, agreed to identify the park as a surplus asset at the September council meeting,” he said.
“To come along now and cry foul and hide behind a call for community consultation is being disingenuous to the people of the area.
“We have agreed to seek expressions of interest from government departments to see if they can come up with schemes for the park that are a benefit to the local community.
“There will be community input throughout this process, and to say there will not be, and brand this exercise as some sort of sell-off, is manipulating the truth.”