A decision to allow a hospitality request at Belfast City Hall for an Irish republican organisation that maintains graves for IRA dead has been criticised by the TUV.

At a secret meeting of the council’s Party Group Leaders Consultative Forum, away from the public and press, a request by the Belfast National Graves Association for use of the City Hall and the provision of hospitality was approved. No details from the minutes were given as to any discussion made around the request, or if there was a vote.

The function, dated for April 8 this year, was described as the “ Easter Lily Launch (including) reception and speeches to give an insight into Belfast's history.” The numbers attending are estimated between 50 and 60 people.

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The Belfast National Graves Association is a private Irish republican organisation which cares for and maintains the graves of some IRA members buried in Belfast cemeteries. It has as its primary objectives "to restore and maintain fittingly, the graves of all those who died for Irish Freedom, to compile a record of those graves and to foster respect for the national dead.”

At the April meeting of the full Belfast City Council at City Hall, TUV Councillor Ron McDowell said: “This was passed without challenge, and I was a bit disappointed in that. I know there is a criteria when people apply for these things, and I have to question if this group could find authority to hold a function within Belfast City Hall.

“For those that don’t know the Belfast National Graves Association, amongst other things they exist to honour the IRA, and the IRA dead. To think there is going to be an event that could potentially honour IRA members is grossly offensive to me, members of the community I represent, and victims right across Northern Ireland, considering they killed their countrymen by the thousands.”

He added: “There is something wrong with our system in this City Hall, there is something wrong with our screening, and it is yet another shame on this building, and a shame on this council.”

Sinn Féin Councillor Ciaran Beattie said: “Belfast City Hall facilitates numerous commemorations throughout the year, from all different aspects of our culture within this city.

“There are many events that happen within this building and the surrounding area that could be offensive to many. There are events outside at the cenotaph that remember British soldiers.

“We respect if that is what your culture is, and that is who you respect, then that is dead on. But there are others who would see that as offensive, and we have to respect that too. But we will not stand up and oppose that, because we respect your position on that.

“We would expect others to do that as well. Because there isn’t just one culture in this city, there isn’t just one religion in this city. We are a diverse city, and if we are not diverse, then what are we?

“We (the council) are not a sectarian organisation, not a single minded organisation. From my party's perspective, we respect all dead, no matter who they are, no matter their background.

“This event is about respecting people’s dead, and if you can’t respect people’s dead, who can you respect?”

Councillor Ron McDowell said: “To compare the atrocities of the IRA with the service of the British Army or the service of Remembrance for those who laid their lives down for freedom….it is not comparable.” He said the decision to allow the group into City Hall was “an affront to justice.”

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