Council approve ‘twinning’ with Gaza

Ballycastle-based Moyle District Council split down the middle last night (Monday March 12) as they pressed ahead with a controversial decision to officially ‘twin’ with the Gaza strip.

By The Newsroom

Published 13th Mar 2012, 10:23 BST

Seven councillors including Sinn Fein, SDLP and Independent nationalist councillors voted for the move to secure a 7-6 victory as one Independent joined with DUP, UUP and TUV councillors to vote against.

The twinning has been promoted by Independent Council Chairperson Padraig McShane who says it is on humanitarian grounds.

But Ulster Unionist Joan Baird said twinning with a “war zone” in an “overt political way” will be divisive in Moyle and she said if people want to give humanitarian aid to Gaza they could do so through recognised international agencies.