A row has broken out after a Sinn Féin councillor was invited to turn on the Christmas lights in a Co Antrim village.
Broughshane held its annual Christmas parade and lights ceremony last Saturday, November 23, and usually invite the Mid and East Antrim Council Mayor each year to carry out the switch-on.
However, the village’s Loyal Orange Lodge has voiced its disdain after Sinn Féin Councillor Breanainn Lyness turned on the Christmas lights in the area.
First reported by the Ballymena Guardian newspaper, it emerged that current mayor, Beth Agder MBE, was unable to attend and instead appointed Deputy Mayor Councillor Lyness to take her place in the ceremonial role.
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Mr Lyness told the Belfast Telegraph the event was “mostly welcoming” but he heard someone directing the phrase “Sinn Féin murderer” towards him.
The local Orange Lodge expressed “deep disappointment and regret” at the Sinn Fein councillor’s attendance due to his party’s “historical association and stance.”
They said: “Christmas is a time for unity, togetherness, and goodwill to all, and we believe that such an important community event should reflect those values.
“The presence of a Sinn Féin representative, regardless of their position in the council, given the party’s historical associations and stance, namely their totally unrepentant position on the terrorism they waged in this country for 30 years is deeply divisive and inconsiderate to many in our community.
“We are dismayed that an opportunity to bring people together and celebrate the festive season has instead been marred by a decision that fails to respect the sensitivities of all members of the community.”
Sinn Fein Councillor Breanainn Lyness at the lights ceremony on Saturday
They added they were “committed to fostering a spirit of harmony and respect within Broughshane” and would continue working towards “strengthening the community.”
Councillor Lyness said “everybody was in good spirits” and the vast majority of people in attendance were welcoming as he handed out medals to kids on the night.
“It was mostly welcoming, I thought it went down really well. It was more after the fact that I heard opposition to it,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
“I represent everybody in both my roles. I’m a local, I only live five minutes down the road from Broughshane. I’ve spent my life here.
“It’s not as if I’m a blow-in,” he added.
Broughshane village Christmas tree
The Sinn Fein councillor recalled hearing someone shout “Sinn Féin murderer” just prior to giving the Christmas lights ceremony speech.
He said: “As I was doing the speech, I heard somebody shout but I didn’t realise what it was. Somebody had shouted Sinn Féin murder, but I just continued on with the speech and got a big round of applause at the end.”
Councillor Lyness reiterated that despite the jeer, he felt welcomed by the village and recalled a good atmosphere on the night.
A spokesperson for the Broughshane and District Community Association said: “We were delighted by the very well-supported Christmas Lights switch on.
“As in our tradition, we asked Mid Eastern Antrim Council’s Mayor to attend and carry out the switch-on. In her absence, the mayor deputised this duty to her deputy who came along and joined in the event.
“We regret that some members of the Orange Lodge were dismayed by this but welcome their commitment to ‘fostering a spirit of harmony and respect within Broughshane and will continue to work towards the strengthening of our community’.”