Campbell praises united front against Carnmoney Cemetery sectarian protest

12.20.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 6th Sep 2006

Newtownabbey Councillor, Tom Campbell

Alliance Councillor for Antrim Line Tom Campbell has welcomed the lack of trouble at this weekend's Cemetery Sunday service at Carnmoney cemetery.

Cllr Campbell, who was present at the cemetery with Alliance Party colleagues Newtownabbey Mayor Alderman Lynn Frazer and Alliance Leader and local MLA, David Ford, said that he was relieved that protests of previous years had failed to materialise and that those attending the Cemetery Sunday ceremony could do so in peace.

Tom Campbell said: "The fact that an organised attempt to disrupt the cemetery ceremonies was abandoned at the last minute does not mean that those involved can take any credit. The protests were being organised for the basest of sectarian reasons.

"The spurious "justification" for the protests was that the P.A. system was causing "annoyance." This did not square with the reality at all. Even from inside the cemetery I had difficulty in hearing what was being relayed through the loudspeakers. It would have been largely inaudible elsewhere."

Cllr Campbell, a member of Newtownabbey District Policing Partnership continued: "I welcome the fact that Newtownabbey Council as a whole had stood firm against the protest. I am also glad that Councillors from all major parties represented in the Council, including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor were in attendance.

In conclusion, Tom Campbell said: "The PSNI deserved credit for the discreet but effective manner in which the event was policed.

ENDS