Moyle Council 'No' to Armed Forces Flag

THE DUP Vice-Chairperson of Moyle Council, Cllr Robert McIlroy, said maybe it is about time Moyle District Council started flying a flag in honour of the United Kingdom's armed forces.

He was speaking after no action was taken by the nationalist-controlled Council in Ballycastle after the Ministry of Defence wrote to local authorities across the UK asking them to raise a flag on Armed Forces Day on June 26.

A 'Fly-A-Flag' campaign was organised last year and 500 were raised by local authorities.

In a letter sent to Moyle Council, Air Chief Marshall Sir Jock Stirrup, said: 'We will provide every local authority with a free flag to fly this year and in subsequent years in support of our troops and the whole Armed Forces community. I hope that you will choose to fly this flag to honour our Armed Forces.

'I have been delighted by the way our nation has demonstrated a tangible recognition of, and appreciation for, the contribution made across the world by our brave men and women, and the unique nature of the military service which they give.

'I hope that Armed Forces Day this year will attract an even greater level of support from local communities throughout the land and I commend this enterprise to you," said Mr Stirrup.

When the letter was tabled at Moyle Council, Chief Executive Richard Lewis said the Council policy is that they "don't normally fly a flag".

Cllr McIlroy said: "Maybe we should start" but there was no further discussion on the matter and a decision was taken not to fly the flag.