Campbell condemns offensive Carnmoney cemetery protest

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 3rd Oct 2005

Local Glengormley Alliance Councillor Tom Campbell has condemned those who took part in loyalist protests near Carnmoney cemetery against a Catholic annual blessing ceremony.

Councillor Campbell, a member of Newtownabbey Borough Council, said:

"Although the first protest at Carnmoney cemetery was peaceful, it is grossly offensive and insulting to those seeking to remember their dead to have to put up with this. Because of a further protest, the O'Neill Road had to be closed.

"It is shameful that there are those who are so bigoted and intolerant that they would seek to deny others the freedom of worship in peace.

"Whilst I welcome the fact that the violent scenes of recent times have not been repeated, these protests illustrate how far removed we are from a normal peaceful society."

ENDS