Parades Commission a kick in the teeth
By Laura Friel
DUBLIN government recommendations were ignored by Mo
Mowlam when she announced appointments to the Parades
Commission last week.
Irish ministers are believed to be outraged at the
snub. Mowlam not only disregarded a list of possible
nominees from Dublin but selected appointees which
copperfasten the Commission's pro-unionist agenda.
The appointment of ex UDA leader Glenn Barr,
Ballynafeigh Apprentice Boy Tommy Cheevers, a former
member of the Police Authority Roseanne McCormack and a
solicitor for the Police Federation, Aidan Canavan
evoked nationalist anger throughout Ireland.
To the acute embarrassment of London, a photograph
taken in 1989, showing Tommy Cheevers as part of an
Orange Order guard of honour at the funeral of UVF
killer John Bingham, appeared in the media last week.
Cheevers described the sectarian killer as ``a longtime
friend.''
Undaunted, the Commission has embarked on a massive
public relations campaign. In a leaflet entitled
``What's it all about?'' the fears of unionists are
exclusively addressed, nationalist concerns are simply
ignored.
The Commission's offensive opens a second front next
week with a trip to America. Chairperson Alastair
Graham and Secretary Richard Buchanan will be
accompanied by the Commission's media spindoctor
Richard Gordon.
Fearful residents of the Lower Ormeau Road are calling
for the immediate return of documents submitted by them
to the Commission following the appointment of Barr and
Cheevers.
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