“South Armagh is at a Crossroads” - Kenny Donaldson

Kenny Donaldson, an Ulster Unionist Party Officer and resident of Crossmaglen, South Armagh has given his reaction to recent events where, 21-year-old Paul Quinn of Cullyhanna was brutally beaten and consequently murdered by a gang of masked men at a disused farm-house in Oram, County Monaghan.

As well as the Oram incident, on Tuesday night last, news reports confirmed that an 18-year-old lad was battered by a gang of up to seven men at Carnegat, Newry.

In a statement, Kenny said: “I would firstly express my sincere condolences to the family circle of Paul Quinn and to the other families whose loved ones were left hospitalised following the brutal attacks they suffered at the hands of gangs of masked men.

“The shock-waves of what has happened in recent days is reverberating, people thought that the days of Kangaroo-style courts were over and that Northern Ireland and indeed the South Armagh area had finally, entered a new political and societal era.

“As a proud Crossmaglen and South Armaghman, I am angered that the area to which I love has once again been placed in the limelight for the wrong reasons. South Armagh has been described as ‘Bandit Country’ and was seen as such by large numbers of people, from both sides of our historic divide and from beyond these Shores. Many terrible atrocities occurred in this community over the ‘Troubled Years.’ But in recent times the area has made the news for the right reasons, the local economy is growing, tourism numbers are increasing and there appeared to be, a new resolve amongst the local community to move this area of Northern Ireland forward.

“Wakening up to the news on Sunday and then Wednesday morning last, that once again; self-appointed dictators had reaped their own brand of Kangaroo Justice upon young men was deeply distressing for me and yet I have no comprehension of how much worse it would have felt for the family and friends of the deceased and the injured.
Kenny added: “There is much loose talk that the deceased and the injured were guilty of crimes, irrespective of whether or not that is true; no-one has the right to take life through their own brand of ‘barbaric Justice.’

“I am calling on the broad, law-abiding South Armagh community to speak with one voice in declaring that we do not want Kangaroo Courts where self-appointed dictators perform the role of, Judge, Jury and Executioner. While belatedly, the Republican Movement have given their political representatives in Sinn Fein the ‘green light’ to endorse and support the fundamental rule of law and order, covering support for the Police (PSNI) the Courts and all other aspects of the Criminal Justice System. “

Continue Reading E-mail October 28th, 2007 Kenny Donaldson

Speech by Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to UUP Party Conference

Mr President, Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Can I say a very big thank you to our panellists here this afternoon who have given us much to think about on the back of their own personal experiences with the National Health Service. To Brian, Patricia, Paula and Mary my sincere thanks and appreciation for giving up your time.

And a special word of thanks to Robert Coulter who chaired the session. Robert is our spokesperson on health matters at Stormont and together with John Mc Callister our Party voice is always heard at the Health committee and in the chamber during the many health related debates. As Minister, I want to thank them for their support.

As we have been hearing the National Health Service has come a long way since its inception in 1948. Sixty years ago times were very different. Our country was emerging from six years of world war and had just elected a new government. The concept of a national health service free at the point of delivery to all may have been viewed as a bold step at the time but one we give thanks for today.

So whilst a Labour Government may have been responsible for one of the greatest political achievements in the twentieth century, let’s not forget that our Party, the Ulster Unionist Party, played a key role in creating the National Health Service in Northern Ireland. It was William Grant MP who was the first Minister for Health in Northern Ireland and over the last sixty years many other people, including William Morgan and William Craig followed in his footsteps. Today, I stand here as the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety – a position I am very honoured to hold. I have greatly enjoyed the last five months in office. There have been many challenges but we are already making a real difference.

In June, I confirmed the siting of the new acute hospital for the South West in Enniskillen which will be open in 2011. I also confirmed that a new enhanced local hospital will be built in Omagh and open in 2012. Now I recognise that there has been concern around Omagh over the future of health services in the town so to avoid any confusion let me reiterate my commitment that there will be a 24 hour Doctor led Urgent Care and Treatment Centre at the Tyrone County Hospital. I am also confident that in the near future further investment will be made in the Ambulance service in the west and I look forward to the conclusion of the consultation on the possibility of a midwife led maternity unit in Omagh.”

Continue Reading E-mail October 28th, 2007 Michael McGimpsey MLA