Galbally
| 11:20 UK time, Thursday, 20 August 2009
Controversy over last weekend's Sinn Fein Hunger Strike Commemoration continues to rage - with the Sports minister Nelson McCausland criticising the fact that the event was held on GAA property. (Of course the TUV has issued a statement insisting it was upset first.)
Little is known however about Gerry Adams' remark at the event in relation to one Martin McGuinness, the Deputy First Minister.
The Sinn Fein leader declared in an attempt to lighten his rather heavy speech....
"The Republican struggle was not and is not about bums on Executive seats - even a bum as delectable as Martin McGuinness's."
I'm afraid my colleague Gareth Gordon has kept the recording.....
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FYI to the commentator re: use of the term Sports minister. This is release issued by minister's Department
DCAL PRESS RELEASE
19 August 2009
SPORTS MINISTER CALLS FOR FULL INVESTIGATION INTO GALBALLY EVENTS
Sports Minister Nelson McCausland has expressed serious concerns about images currently being circulated on the internet depicting scenes of paramilitary display at the hunger strike commemoration event held at Galbally on Sunday 16 August.
The Minister commented: "I understand that the GAA grounds were used for part of this event and I am sure that many senior figures in the GAA will be as horrified as I am that a sports ground was used for this type of activity.
"I would encourage the GAA to carry out a full investigation into the activities of
16 August at Galbally and to make a full statement as soon as possible.
"Sport has tremendous potential to bring communities together and to contribute to a shared and better future. This is an aspiration to which the vast majority of the population here subscribe. The events in Galbally have been deeply divisive and do nothing to promote harmony in our community."
I'm 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~33~RS~)
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I note that 'Culture Minister Upset' has gone but 'Sports minister' remains. The GMU interview made it very clear that neither Barry McElduff nor Nelson McCausland were speaking as committee chair or Minister respectively.
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Nelson McCauslands' remarks on the event's at Galbally to commemorate Irish republican hunger strikers were inappropriate and come from a place of enmity. He has proved himself unfit to hold the ministerial post because he, in my opinion, is not working to sustain peace in the region and displays a "devil may care" attitude towards the whole peace project.
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Martina
ADAMS'S JOKE WAS A BUMMER
Clearly Adams is not blessed with a sense of humour. Trying to be witty at a commemoration for people who caused murder, mayhem and misery is proof of that writ large.
Having said that, perhaps Adams's remark was not an attempt at humour but simply a chance reference to the close relationship he has with McGuinness.
Susie
Carryduff
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