Statement by TUV North Belfast candidate Ron McDowell:
“Bloody Friday was one of the darkest days of the terrorist campaign. Nine people were murdered and around 130 injured when the IRA detonated 19 bombs in the space of just 80 minutes. The victims were from from all backgrounds, Protestant and Roman Catholic, men and women. Some victims like 65 year old Brigid Murray had lived for decades. Many were young with four of the dead still in their teens. One of them, 14 year old Stephen Parker, was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Commendation for bravery after he tried to warn people about a device he spotted in car outside row of shops on Cavehill Road.
“Yet Alliance councillor Michael Long took it upon himself to describe a proposal to mark Bloody Friday as a “sham fight”. Nothing sham about nine dead and 130 injured. It was one of the most horrific days to ever visit our city.
“Councillor Long needs to seriously reflect on his comments. Frankly taken at face value they suggest he is unfit for office.
“There was nothing sham about Bloody Friday.”