Maskey agrees to lay Somme memorial wreath

The new Sinn Féin mayor of Belfast, Mr Alex Maskey, has agreed to lay a wreath in honour of those who died during the Battle …

The new Sinn Féin mayor of Belfast, Mr Alex Maskey, has agreed to lay a wreath in honour of those who died during the Battle of the Somme before the official remembrance ceremony takes place next Monday.

Mr Maskey will place his wreath at 9 am, two hours before the official remembrance ceremony begins.

He will also chair the council meeting at Belfast City Hall before the ceremony at the Cenotaph.

Traditionally boycotted by Sinn Féin, the council-organised event on July 1st will commemorate the 86th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and the thousands of soldiers who died on the battlefields of France.