Local representatives in Mid Ulster District Council have rejected a motion calling for the body to host events to mark the coronation of King Charles III later this year.
The monarch acceded to the throne following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II last year, with the coronation to take place on 6 May.
A motion brought forward by DUP councillor Clement Cuthbertson for the council to host a series of ‘meaningful and respectful’ events to mark the occasion was voted down at a full council meeting on Thursday.
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An amendment to the motion was proposed by Sinn Féin’s Cathal Mallaghan which agreed to send a letter of congratulations to the new monarch, but excluded any council-led events to mark the occasion.
Cllr Mallaghan’s amendment was carried, with 20 voting for, fourteen against and two abstentions.
Several councillors pointed to existing council funding that was available for local community groups to organise their own events to mark the coronation.
Dungannon DEA representative Cuthbertson criticised the decision not to back the proposal. He referred to previous motions not to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland and the Platinum Jubilee with council funded events.
“Unionists are saying, what is in this council for them? To be honest, I can’t see what is. They get their bins lifted or whatever but that’s all they’re getting out of this council,” Cllr Cuthbertson said.
“Unionists are in the minority in this district, we’re not asking for everything. All we are asking for is a bit of respect and our fair share.
“It’s time this council and the senior management team of the council stepped up and took a decision for themselves, and said this is of national importance…and council officers lead on this matter.
UUP councillors backed the DUP councillor’s motion, but representatives from Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Independent did not.
Cllr Mallaghan said: “Many people will see this as an important and historic occasion but many others will not.
“There is funding programmed already within council budgets and I feel that’s the most appropriate place for this type of thing to happen.”
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