The deputy mayor of Drogheda, Mr Frank Godfrey, has said he will stage further protests at the Drogheda Heritage Centre until Oliver Cromwell's death mask is removed.
The mask, which is on loan from the Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, went on display last Saturday in Drogheda amid protests from Mr Godfrey and seven other people, who said it was a "symbol of terror and dispossession". He wanted to see the mask sent back to Britain. "I feel it is insulting to the townspeople after several hundred were put to the sword by Cromwell," he said.
Mr Godfrey, who is due to take over as mayor of Drogheda in June, also said an apology from Britain "wouldn't be out of place for that murderous campaign".
Mr Tom Reilly, spokesman for the Drogheda Heritage Centre, who brought the mask to Drogheda, said he intended the mask to help people to come to terms with the past and to create an interest in the heritage centre, opened six months ago.
Mr Reilly, who wrote a book entitled Cromwell: An Honour- able Enemy, said there was no evidence to suggest any civilians were killed during the siege of Drogheda in 1649, which involved Cromwell's army. "I issue a challenge to anyone to prove otherwise," he said.
He added that Mr Godfrey's attitude was "exceptionally irresponsible and encourages bigotry and prejudice". During a protest outside the heritage centre on Sunday, he said, the protesters had shown a lack of respect towards the graveyard, where the heritage centre is located.
The mask is scheduled for display until October 31st, as part of an exhibition entitled The Curious Story of Cromwell's Head.