Middleton raises concern on Irish council branding

Alderman Middleton made his concerns known following the statement made last week by the Presiding head of the shadow council, Councillor Maoliosa McHugh, about the use of the Irish language on the new council branding.

“It’s disappointing that Sinn Fein has made their intentions clear by calling for Irish to be the prominent language on the new council branding,” Alderman Gary Middleton said.

He continued: “I have been speaking to many people throughout the new council district, from all backgrounds, and the overwhelming majority of people felt that the use of the Irish language on the new council branding is unnecessary but to even consider making it the prominent language is completely unacceptable.”

Alderman Middleton said that in recent years there has been a lot of good work done between communities living in the Londonderry and Strabane areas, through the good relations departments in council and through other agencies.

“There is still much more work to do. The DUP would not like to see this good work undone and would call on the nationalist parties to ensure that the unionist views are heard,” he said.

“It is evident that Sinn Fein are once again using the Irish language as a weapon in their cultural war.”