01/03/2007
Sinn Féin and DUP hit by resignations
DUP councillor for Ballymena Davy Tweed has announced he will be leaving the party.
This news comes as Fermanagh Sinn Féin councillor Poilin Ui Cathain has also decided to step down from council following the party’s decision to support the PSNI.
Mr Tweed said the possibility of DUP power sharing with Sinn Féin, would “not so much be a backward step as a complete somersault.”
The former Ulster and Ireland rugby player said he felt betrayed by the DUP and said his party was “falsifying its intentions” and would be “far better coming out and being open and transparent with people.”
He will however remain at Ballymena Borough Council as an independent candidate.
Poilin Ui Cathain, a councillor for Erne West told the Fermanagh Herald newspaper she was unable to support the party’s new policing policy.
“I sincerely hope that my reservations regarding Sinn Féin’s support for the Police Service of Northern Ireland will be proven wrong,” she said.
“I believe that this decision is now irreversible. Therefore while I can afford to be wrong, I don’t believe Sinn Féin have that luxury.”
A spokesperson for Sinn Féin said they were comfortable with the councillor’s decision to resign, and respected her view.
(JM/SP)
This news comes as Fermanagh Sinn Féin councillor Poilin Ui Cathain has also decided to step down from council following the party’s decision to support the PSNI.
Mr Tweed said the possibility of DUP power sharing with Sinn Féin, would “not so much be a backward step as a complete somersault.”
The former Ulster and Ireland rugby player said he felt betrayed by the DUP and said his party was “falsifying its intentions” and would be “far better coming out and being open and transparent with people.”
He will however remain at Ballymena Borough Council as an independent candidate.
Poilin Ui Cathain, a councillor for Erne West told the Fermanagh Herald newspaper she was unable to support the party’s new policing policy.
“I sincerely hope that my reservations regarding Sinn Féin’s support for the Police Service of Northern Ireland will be proven wrong,” she said.
“I believe that this decision is now irreversible. Therefore while I can afford to be wrong, I don’t believe Sinn Féin have that luxury.”
A spokesperson for Sinn Féin said they were comfortable with the councillor’s decision to resign, and respected her view.
(JM/SP)
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