By attacking Paddy Devlin’s legacy, SF showed its respect agenda stretches no further than own nose

THERE has been an important debate in Belfast City Council about how we make City Hall and our grounds more representative of all traditions, new and old.

It is vitally important that the grounds of Belfast City Council acknowledge, through balanced and inclusive memorials, the role of citizens of Belfast who have positively contributed to the social, political and civic life of the city.

Positive suggestions were made which would have seen commemorative statues, benches and windows installed for Paddy Devlin, Winifred Carney, Robert McAdam, Mary Ann McCracken, Grace Bannister, the role of minority ethnic communities and the role of the health service.

This initiative would have recognised the contribution of women, socialists, nationalists, republicans, trade unionists and ethnic minorities, as well as the city’s role in the anti-slavery movement.

One of the people proposed by a cross-community group, including Rev Chris Hudson, Rev John McDowell, the Bishop of Clogher, Alban Maginness and Seamus Lynch, was the late Paddy Devlin.

They recognised him as a punchy character, a republican, a socialist, a trade unionist and peace train activist who spent his life campaigning for civil rights, fairness and equality for all, regardless of religious affiliation or political belief.

I did not expect Sinn Fein to agree with the politics of Paddy Devlin, but I had hoped the party would show respect to his family and those who proposed him. Regrettably, at the February city council meeting, Sinn Fein decided to disrespect the life and memory of Paddy Devlin, who passed away in 1999.

The party challenged his republican credentials and attacked his record in the 1980s, when he stood up against violence. As historian Bob Purdie wrote, he did not publicly criticise the hunger strikes, “but he did not support them either and that wasn’t good enough for the Provos”. For this, he was threatened and intimidated.

Sinn Fein talks a lot about respect. In this case, it chose to publicly attack Paddy Devlin in the council. It was shameful and deeply offensive to the family and friends who loved him.

CLLR TIM ATTWOOD (SDLP) Belfast City Council