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Council split over Fullerton stone
19.05.11
by
Damian Dowds, Inishowen Independent
THE location of a new memorial to murdered Buncrana
Sinn Féin Councillor Eddie Fullerton has divided the
Town Council on the eve of the 20th anniversary of
his death.
An inscribed memorial stone for Mr Fullerton,
located at the Stone Jug on the banks of Crana
River, is due to be unveiled on May 29, but its
location has split the Town Council.
At a private meeting on Tuesday night, the council
spent more than two hours debating the issue, with
alternative sites for the memorial discussed.
After a sometimes heated debate, the council split
with four councillors voting to retain it at the
Stone Jug and four voting against.
Mayor Michael Grant then used his casting vote to
retain the memorial, which has been erected in
recent weeks ahead of its official unveiling, at its
current location. The new memorial, on the approach
to Castle Bridge, is adjacent to similar memorials
to 19th century Buncrana trade unionist John Doherty
and Theobald Wolfe Tone, who was brought ashore to
Buncrana after being captured on Lough Swilly in
1798. |
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The new memorial stone for slain
councillor Eddie Fullerton (inset). |
Anniversary committee
chairman, Daren Lalor said he was shocked at the
“political charade.”
“I am absolutely shocked that some elected members
felt the need to hide behind a political charade,”
said Mr Lalor, himself a former Sinn Féin town
councillor.
“The reality is four members of Buncrana Town
Council voted to take down a commemorative stone of
a former member on the eve of his 20th anniversary.
“Cllr Eddie Fullerton served his community
diligently for 12 years and I do believe this
prominent location is a fitting tribute to a great
man.”
Mr Lalor said that he had numerous meetings with
council officials, and fulfilled the requirements
set out by them. He said his understanding was that
the issue was one for the executive, and not elected
councillors.
Cllr Fullerton was murdered on May 25, 1991, by
loyalist assassins who sledge hammered their way
into the Fullerton home as the family slept in their
beds. They shot him six times in front of his wife
Dinah, and made good their escape across the border.
It is understood that the two Sinn Féin councillors
– Ciaran McLaughlin and Mary Kelly – as well as
independent councillors Lee Tedstone and Mayor
Michael Grant voted in favour of retaining the
memorial at its current location.
The memorial stone to Cllr Fullerton is inscribed
with a quote from 1916 leader Pádraig Pearse. The
engraved inscription reads:
The Salt of Our Generation.
Cllr Eddie Fullerton (Sinn Féin) 1935-1991
A loyal servant of the people and an elected member
of Buncrana Urban District Council & Donegal County
Council.
Assassinated in his family home at Cockhill,
Buncrana.
“There are in every generation those who shrink from
the ultimate sacrifice, but there are in every
generation those who make it with joy and laughter
and these are the salt of the generations.” –
Pádraig Mac Piarais. |
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