27/11/2002

Sinn Fein's Derry motion dropped by council

Sinn Fein has seen its bid to have Londonderry renamed as Derry rejected at a meeting of the city council on Tuesday evening.

The party's motion was dropped in favour of an SDLP amendment which gave equal status to both names.

Ulster Unionist MLA Dermot Nesbitt criticised the motion claiming the move was "illegal" and that it was being used as a political tool by republican's to show their dominance over unionists in the city.

However, Sinn Fein councillor Barney O'Hagan said it had been shown by various consultants' reports that in marketing the city "there is a problem with the mixed message we are sending out over identity". Mr Nesbitt dismissed this claim.

While a previous effort by nationalists to have the city officially named Derry in the 1980s failed, it did lead to a name change for the council from Londonderry City Council to Derry City Council.

Derry was formally renamed Londonderry with the granting of a new royal charter in 1613, during the British Plantation of Ulster.

(MB)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

23 August 2013
Derry Council Warning Over 'Dangerous' Cookers
Derry City Council has issued a call to locate some models of gas cookers which, it says can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
16 December 2009
Minister Supports North West
The recession is hitting the North West hard and its impact continues to worry the NI Employment Minister. He said this week that he is committed to the local cause and is therefore holding different meetings to help achieve some improvements in the situation.
14 May 2003
Derry council undertakes resident IT initiative
The Local Strategy Partnership (LSP) for Derry City Council Area has undertaken one of the most ambitious Northern Ireland council-wide studies on the future IT needs of its residents.
07 August 2012
Derry Council 'Dragging Heels' On Independent Traders' Ideas
Northern Irish traders have accused Derry City Council of "dragging its heels" in responding to a plan for regenerating the city centre. The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Traders Association (NIIRTA) presented the plan to the council in April.
17 October 2013
Belfast Council Launches Business Development Programme
Local manufacturers are being offered help with reducing costs and increasing profits through a new business development programme funded by Belfast City Council. The Manufacturing Efficiency Programme is open to small and medium-sized companies in the city from the manufacturing subsectors.