Republican News · Thursday 31 January 2002

Flag wavers chellenged

Sinn Féin councillors Martin Meehan and Martin McManus stand in front of Antrim Borough Council's Union Jack flag, which the Council insists on flying all year round despite Equality legislation restricting the flying of the flag to 17 days per year.

The Sinn Féin pair, however, say the flag's day is numbered, as they have put down a motion calling for Antrim Council to adhere to the guidance laid down by the equality commission.

Said Meehan: "The flag is going, that's for sure, because Sinn Féin isn't going away. We are determined to represent the views of our voters and we are not going to accept second class citizenship".

Meanwhile, the RUC/PSNI visited Meehan at his home last Wednesday, 13 March, to warn of a threat against him from the Red Hand Defenders.

According to Meehan, "the fact that they came out at 4am to warn me is an indication that the threat was serious. My son was also warned of a threat against his life which, according to the RUC/PSNI, was accompanied by a code word".