Sinn Féin Lord Mayor of Belfast, Mr Alex Maskey, today became the first republican political representative to lay a wreath in memory of those killed in the Battle of the Somme.
|
|
Belfast's first Sinn Féin Lord Mayor,
Mr Alex Maskey, lays a wreath in memory of the victims of the battle of the Somme, at the cenotaph at Belfast City Hall |
However, he will not be taking part in the official ceremony, being held at City Hall at 11 a.m. Mr Maskey has described his participation in a ceremony as a "difficult decision".
Republicans have traditionally refused to take part in commemorations of the Battle of the Somme because of their opposition to the British army and the use of British flags and emblems.
In a show of party unity this morning, a number of Sinn Féin councillors accompanied Mr Maskey into the garden of remembrance at Belfast City Hall at 9 a.m. to lay a wreath in commemoration of those who died in the World War I battle.
However, upon reaching the Cenotaph, he stepped forward alone and laid the laurel wreath. Mr Maskey then retreated a few steps before standing for a minute's silence before departing.
The message on the wreath read: "In memory of all the men who made the supreme sacrifice at the Battle of the Somme and during the First World War and in recognition of the sorrow, suffering and sense of loss of their relatives, friends and comrades, from The Right Hon The Lord Mayor Councillor Alex Maskey."
After laying the wreath Mr Maskey said: "This is a major step for republicans and nationalists on this island. I hope that this initiative will be seen at face value and as a positive gesture."
|
Mr Maskey added that he would be asking the council to debate a new form of civic commemoration for all those who died.
As Mr Maskey spoke on the steps of Belfast City Hall, a number of soldiers with sniffer dogs patrolled the grounds - a testament to the controversy caused by the event.
Two Catholic priests from Clonard Monastery in Belfast were among the only spectators who had gathered to watch the wreath being laid in the pouring rain.
Fr Patsie Cunning and Fr Gerard Reynolds said they were delighted. Fr Reynolds said: "It's a mighty step in opening our hearts to the communal pain.
"War is indiscriminate and should belong to the tragic past. This little gesture comes from the Republican movement which has been involved in a violent struggle. I hope this means they want to move away from the violent past and into a peaceful future."
Today is the anniversary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme. In less than 24 hours 60,000 British people were killed.
PA