West Tyrone Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Omagh District Chairperson attended unfurling of National Flag in Belfast.

Published: 6 August, 2008


Omagh Council Chairperson and Sinn Féin councillor Martin McColgan was in Belfast last week for the unfurling of the National flag in the office of Belfast's first citizen Tom Hartley. Mr. Hartley placed the Tricolour alongside the Union flag in his office on Tuesday. The Sinn Fein Mayor says the gesture will give parity of esteem to both nationalists and unionists in Belfast city.

Mr Hartley follows the lead of his party colleague, Alex Maskey, who made a similar move in 2002 during his term in office at Belfast City Hall.

The national flag has been placed in the Mayor's parlour in Clarendon Dock as the City Hall is currently undergoing major refurbishment.

Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Hartley said he was acting on behalf of all the citizens of Belfast.

"I inherited an office with a union flag in it, so rather than remove the union flag I decided to locate an Irish tricolour in the office," he said.

"I'm hoping to show that it's possible for the mayor of Belfast to act in an inclusive way and to engage with all the citizens of Belfast - principally the unionist and nationalist communities."

The unveiling was attended by Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams along with councillors from the party from a range of local councils throughout Ulster including Omagh District Council chairperson Martin McColgan.

Speaking from the unfurling of the national flag, Martin McColgan said

"I have joined the first citizen of Belfast today to show my support for his initiative in flying our national flag in his office, which he will use throughout his term in office. Given that there has been a union flag in the office is it is only right and just that our national flag is also accommodated. ENDS