Call for Carrick plaque to honour Sean Lester

East Antrim MLA, Oliver McMullan, suggested that a statue or memorial plaque could be erected in memory of prominent Carrickfergus native Sean Lester.

The Sinn Fein Assemblyman said: “There are two reasons why I believe the time is right for Carrickfergus to honour one of its most famous sons. Firstly, the recent erection of Nazi flags in the town was something which caused great offence to many residents.

“Ironically, through Sean Lester Carrick has a direct link with a man who was regarded as a thorn in the flesh for Hitler and the Nazis.

“While Belfast has honoured Lester through the erection of a blue plaque, I believe that Carrickfergus should take steps to honour the man.”

A memorial would also be a fitting way of recognising the minority nationalist tradition in the town, Mr McMullan added of Lester who was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood during “a tumultuous phase in Irish history”.

In a statement, a spokesperson from the local authority said: “Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is currently developing a policy framework for applications for memorials or commemorative displays. Once the framework has been finalised and adopted by council, applications that are appropriate to the borough will then be considered in line with the framework.”