Councillors in walk-out

There was a walk-out by nationalist members at last night's monthly meeting of Craigavon Borough Council

There was a walk-out by nationalist members at last night's monthly meeting of Craigavon Borough Council. The mayor, Mr Kenneth Twyble, Ulster Unionist, in an opening statement, mentioned events in the borough during the past two days.caused to property and the detrimental effects this would have on the community.

He stressed the need for calm and restraint. SDLP councillor, Mr Ignatius Fox, protested at what he described as the violence perpetrated by the RUC and the British army against the nationalist community in Portadown on Sunday. He then walked out accompanied by the other two SDLP members, Mr Sean McKavanagh and Ms Mary McAlinden.

Mr Breandan Mac Cionnaith, Independent Nationalist Community, then proposed that the meeting be adjourned in protest against the violence perpetrated by the RUC and British army in Portadown on Sunday.

On a show of hands four voted for a motion to adjourn and 14 unionists against. The three SDLP members then left the chamber in Craigavon civic centre, followed by Mr Mac Cionnaith and Mr Joseph Duffy (Irish National Community) and the two Sinn Fein members, Mr Francis Murray and Mr John O'Dowd.