The DUP has raised concerns at a council meeting over the suitability of a Co Down manager of an EU funded programme due to his support for the people of Gaza.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) has been asked to address concerns on the suitability of Peace Plus project manager, Cahir Clancy.
The DUP has urged a review of Mr Clancy’s position amid a recent €8.6million funding awarded to NMDDC for projects to be developed in the district.
In chambers this week, Mournes DUP representative, Glyn Hanna said: “Just on the Peace Plus project, we in the DUP have an issue. A member of staff who is working on the Peace Plus as a project manager, his name is Cahir Clancy.
“He seems to be heavily involved in all this with Gaza and all that there and we would question his integrity or whether he is the right person to be in charge of projects.”
Mr Clancy recently undertook a 100-mile fasted and silent run in Newcastle, Co Down raising more than £15,000 for Gaza. The money was raised for the Union of Palestine Women’s Committee (UPWC).
Cllr Hanna added: “I think there is an issue and we will be taking this up and I am only letting you know there is a problem with that. I see he is with the SERC, so do we take it up with them or is it the council?
“He is in a position of project managing everything and deciding which projects, so there is an issue. We won’t be letting it go.”
According to the council website, a total of €8.6million of Peace Plus funding has recently been awarded to NMDDC for its Peace Plus Co-Designed Local Authority Action Plan.
Over the next three years the action plan will be delivered in partnership with South Eastern Regional College (SERC) focusing on three pivotal themes – local regeneration and transformation, thriving and peaceful communities, and celebrating cultures and diversity.
A council officer responded: “We are not really at liberty to discuss the entire issues in committee, also he is not a member of staff of the council either.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) directly contacted Mr Clancy, however at the time of publication no comment had been made.
The SERC was also contacted with a spokesperson responding: “We have no comment on this matter.”
