Newry, Mourne and Down Council said they are working to “clarify responsibility for the John Mitchel statue” following a petition for its removal.
Almost 1,500 have signed a petition for its removal and the renaming of John Mitchel Place because of his support for slavery.
The Mirror reported on the issue following calls from Newry men, Aidan McQuade, a former Anti-Slavery International chief, and Queen’s University Phd student Patrick Hughes.
The council’s equality and good relations committee discussed the issue on Friday.
Their latest statement reads: “ Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s Councillors’ Equality and Good Relations Reference Group met on Friday 19 June 2020.
“The Councillors’ Equality and Good Relations Reference Group is a facilitated discussion space which is the Council’s vehicle for considering and discussing politically sensitive and contentious issues to reach a common understanding, agreement and actions.
“Following constructive discussion between Elected Members on the John Mitchel statue and John Mitchel Place, it was agreed that officers proceed to clarify responsibility for the John Mitchel statue, develop options for an education programme, identify the origins of John Mitchel Place and give consideration as to other potential issues in relation to slavery within the Council area.”
John Mitchel, whose likeness stands on Newry’s Hill Street, was a pro-slavery advocate who denied it was wrong to buy or hold slaves or to “flog” them.
Born in 1815, the Presbyterian is also revered as an Irish revolutionary and was famous for his newspaper The United Irishman. A number of GAA clubs are named after him.
Reacting to the council’s announcement, Adrian and Patrick told the Mirror: “We welcome the council’s constructive response to the issue of the statue of John Mitchel and the naming of John Mitchel Place in Newry and proposing a strategy to deal with these.
“However, we appeal to the council to go farther and faster with its plans and to actively engage the community in important changes to public spaces in Newry like this that make all our citizens welcome on every street, irrespective of their heritage.”
