Row Over Cash for Ex-Prisoners' Group

Wednesday November 27, 2002 18:20

by Tamerlane

Row Over Cash for Ex-Prisoners' Group An Ulster Unionist Assembly member last night branded a massive EU cash windfall for a Strabane ex-INLA prisoners' group as 'outrageous.' Teach na Failte, a project for former Republican Socialist prisoners, announced last week that it had obtained almost half a million pounds in peace funding packages. (Whats the betting that the SP also oppose this funding? They probably wanted it spent on new instruments for 'Kick The Pope' Orange Bands.)

Derry Journal
Row Over Cash for Ex-Prisoners' Group

An Ulster Unionist Assembly member last night branded a massive EU
cash windfall for a Strabane ex-INLA prisoners' group as 'outrageous.'

Teach na Failte, a project for former Republican Socialist prisoners,
announced last week that it had obtained almost half a million pounds
in peace funding packages.

A large chunk of the money came from the EU's Programme for Peace and
Reconciliation Peace 11.

West Tyrone UUP MLA, Derek Hussey, said: "This decision is outrageous
and will be met with a sense of hurt and anger by the unionist
community in West Tyrone.

"At present victims groups in our area are working hand to mouth. It
is completely abhorrent that a group that has caused so much pain to
the unionist community would seem to be treated more favourably," he
claimed.

Mr. Hussey said: "Recent intelligence in the Strabane area would
indicate that the INLA is still an active faction in our area and,
therefore in my view it does not deserve funding of this nature.

"I have been asked to visit this group but I would advise its members
not to hold their breath. I have no intention of lending any
credibility to this organisation," he added.

However, Eddie McGarrigle, Teach na Failte Project Manager, insisted
yesterday: "This project should be welcomed by all right-thinking
people interested in addressing the pain and hurt which people from
both sections of the community feel.

"It will involve conflict resolution training, anti-sectarian
training and a number of educational courses. We are being proactive
in dealing with the issues affecting those on the ground."

Mr. McGarrigle accused the unionist MLA of "seeking publicity for his
ill informed views."

He said: "Whilst I may understand where Mr. Hussey is coming from
giving his limited knowledge, I find it amazing that he is
perpetuating a hierarchy amongst victims of this conflict.

"May I remind him that there are victims on all sides and the purpose
of this project is that there are no more victims. Anyone who is
genuine in respect to healing the hurt and trauma which affected
people from both communities must welcome this very imaginative,
innovative project."

Mr. McGarrigle claimed the project was currently awaiting legal
advice in relation to allegedly "misleading and potentially
libellous" comments made by the unionist Assembly member.