Sinn Fein Councillor Sheamus Greene
UNIONISTS have hit out at comments by a Sinn Fein councillor who said he ‘would rather have his nails pulled with pliers’ than make a nomination for Queen Elizabeth’s birthday honours list.
Brookeborough-based Sinn Fein councillor Sheamus Greene sparked anger this week with his remarks to a council official when asked to nominate local people for the award next year.
Cllr Greene responded to the email: “Sorry I would have no interest in this. To be honest I would rather have my fingernails pulled with pliers. But everyone to their own. Kind regards, Cllr Sheamus Greene.”
The Sinn Fein man said this week that the email was written “tongue in cheek”.
“If anyone wants to take offence at it I don’t care. I have no interest in pomp and circumstance and that nonsense,” he added.
His remarks have been condemned by Ulster Unionist MLA Rosemary Barton who said Mr Greene was “insensitive” and showed a lack of respect.
Mrs Barton added: “This is a very rich coming from a member of a party that continually talks about equality, integrity and respect. This barbaric act of having ‘finger nails pulled with pliers’, was a form of torture used by the terrorist wing of the party that Mr Greene now represents. The use of this language brings nothing only further hurt to the families of those innocent victims who were kidnapped, tortured and murdered. This comment represents the opposite of the respect and integrity that their party often talks about.”
DUP Cllr Raymond Farrell said the comments would “no doubt be deeply disturbing to many people”.
“The Queen’s Birthday Honours list acknowledges the good and the achievements many people throughout the community give for the well-being of others. As well as that, those that have lost loved ones will feel the hurt most. The torture that many people experienced prior to their death was very often experienced by such methods as the councillor commented on. I think the best thing is for Cllr Greene to either ignore a response when asked for responses or maybe count to ten before he does react.”
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