Sinn Fein mayor accused of '˜bad taste' over Irish Christmas card

A Christmas card containing a greeting in Irish that was sent out to members of a predominantly unionist council has been branded 'divisive' by a DUP councillor.
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The card, sent out by Sinn Fein Mayor Brenda Chivers to her fellow councillors on Causeway Coast and Glens Council, reads ‘Nollaig Shona’ or ‘Happy Christmas’ on the front, with bilingual messages inside.

DUP Alderman Sam Cole said the decision to only use Irish on the front was “not inclusive” and felt some would take the mayoral gesture as an “insult”.

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The Garvagh man also accused the mayor of “bringing politics into Christmas”.

The Christmas card sent out by Sinn Fein Mayor Brenda ChiversThe Christmas card sent out by Sinn Fein Mayor Brenda Chivers
The Christmas card sent out by Sinn Fein Mayor Brenda Chivers

He told the News Letter: “This is the first time I have received a Christmas card that I couldn’t read, and am I sure many others who received it would be in the same position.

“It was in bad taste to send out a Christmas card using a divisive language, because that is what Irish has become, whether we like it or not.

“We have no government in NI because Sinn Fein have put a red line down for an Irish language act. So to use it in an exclusive way, rather than inclusive, was a step too far in my opinion.

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“Sinn Fein have been politicising the language and using it in this way does not exactly capture the spirit of Christmas.”

Brenda Chivers said there wasnt room for Irish and English on the front of the cardBrenda Chivers said there wasnt room for Irish and English on the front of the card
Brenda Chivers said there wasnt room for Irish and English on the front of the card

Mr Cole said he had “no problem” with the Irish language, but added: “It is being used here as a political act to rub people the wrong way.”

Echoing his party colleague’s remarks, DUP North Antrim MLA Mervyn Storey said this “blows a hole through the narrative that Sinn Fein want Irish and English to be treated equally”.

He added: “This is one of many examples where Sinn Fein have used the language in a political context. You see this in places like Mid Ulster, where Irish is used first on welcome signs and English second. The language is clearly being used by Sinn Fein as a political tool.

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“It is Sinn Fein who have made the Irish language divisive, and they then wonder why unionists have a problem with their demands for an Irish language act.”

UUP councillor William McCandless accused Ms Chivers of “abusing her privilege as mayor”.

“I hate the see the Irish language politicised, especially at this time of the year, a time for reconciliation and peace,” he said.

“The mayor should be apolitical and not show any favouritism to one side or the other.”

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When asked why she had chosen to use Irish alone on the front of the card, Mayor Chivers told the News Letter: “There wasn’t room for both.”

She also dismissed claims that the cards could not be understood as “nonsense”, stating they are “clearly bilingual” inside.

In a statement, the mayor expressed her “disappointment” that her “gesture of goodwill” had met with a negative response from some unionists.

“The Irish language is part of our shared history and culture on this island but, unfortunately, some still seem unable to accept that reality and are unable to treat the language with respect,” she added.