Republican News · Thursday 4 July 2002

Dublin Mayor to visit Short Strand

Incoming Mayor of Dublin, Dermot Lacey (Labour) has agreed to visit the Short Strand in Belfast with Dublin Sinn Féin Councillor Christy Burke. The agreement follows Burke's demands that greater attention be paid by politicians in Dublin to the crisis situation in Belfast.

Burke commmended the work of the outgoing mayor, Anthony Creevey (Fianna Fáil), who had met recently with a delegation of residents from the Short Strand led by Sinn Féin councillor Joe O'Donnell.

Creevey informed Burke on Tuesday that, as requested by the Sinn Féin councillor, he has sent a letter regarding the plight of Short Strand residents from his office to British Secretary of State, John Reid.

"Very little is being done by politicians down here," Burke said. "No action being taken means lost lives."

Creevey's tenure was short-lived. He had been mayor only since 10 June, following Michael Mulcahy's election to the Dáil.

"I commend Councillor Creevey for his engagement with Short Strand residents," Burke said, "and hope that such positive engagement will continue."

The new mayor was elected at a meeting of Dublin City Council on Monday, 1 July, the result of a Labour/Fianna Fáil voting pact. Lacey received 32 votes, with Fine Gael's Ruairí McGinley getting nine and Sinn Féin's Larry O'Toole eight.