Crotlieve SDLP candidate Karen McKevitt has hit out at the council for spending ratepayers' money in areas where not everyone is made welcome.

Speaking at the weekend to SDLP Derrylecka Branch election workers Karen said “I freely admit that I am latching onto a comment made to me when canvassing in the Upper Damolly Road area outside Newry. A voter commenting on his Rates Bill asked why the Council should support events in towns and villages where not everyone is welcome. I totally agreed with him and I made him an election promise that, when elected, I would raise the matter in Council. His comments were definitely worthy of noting.

“In the case of my own electoral area I ask why should the money collected from homes in the Burren / Ballyholland area or from ratepayers on the Warrenpoint Road or Drumcashlone be used to subsidise events elsewhere and in particular in areas identified with animosity. I wish to make it clear,” said Mrs. McKevitt.

“I am not differentiating on the matter. Paramilitary flags or slogans and monuments as seen in any part of Newry & Mourne do give offence to visitors and to different sectors of society. The aim of all politicians should be to create situations where everyone is visibly made welcome and treated as equals.

“Why should the hard earned cash of decent people be used by Council to prop areas only recognised for their bigotry and hard-line attitudes. Concluding Mrs McKevitt said

“I will be promoting the idea of the Council supporting, to the maximum, those areas that demonstrate equality for all and to hold on deposit monies allocated to areas with partisan prejudices until they get their house in order.”