NI Conservatives’ spokeswoman, Lesley Macaulay, has called upon the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) to look into the decision to name a children’s play-park in Newry after convicted terrorist, Raymond McCreesh.
“The message which the name of this park sends out to children is appalling”, Lesley emphasised. “How can we hope to build a shared future or teach our young people to avoid the mistakes of the past, if we glorify violence and terrorism?”
“The Commissioner for Children is charged with looking after the ‘best interests of children and young persons’ in Northern Ireland. She is also required to encourage young people to ‘respect the rights of others’. The name of this play-park clearly infringes both of those principles.”
“It is time for Patricia Lewsley-Mooney and her team to examine how the decision of Newry and Mourne Council to keep a convicted IRA man’s name on this park shapes children’s attitudes and whether it is in their best interests. NICCY should be involved in preventing adults perpetuating the hatreds of the past in a new generation.”