New York mayor backs Ó Muilleoir

Posted By: August 08, 2013

Ulster TV. Thursday, 08 August
2013

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has sent a personal message of
support to Belfast lord mayor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, who was targeted by loyalist
protestors at a civic opening in the city earlier this week.

The Sinn Féin’s
representative was forced to flee the ceremony at a children’s playpark
in Woodvale Park in the Shankill area on Tuesday after he was mobbed by an angry
crowd.

He has since vowed to continue to represent all the citizens of
Belfast.

Mr Bloomberg, who met the lord mayor in New York shortly after
his election, gave his backing to Mr Ó Muilleoir in refusing to be
intimidated.

His message declared: “Our city stands squarely with him and
all those who are working for unity and progress in Belfast and across Northern
Ireland.”

Nine police officers were injured during the scuffles which
broke out at Woodvale Park.

Mr Ó Muilleoir was checked in hospital and
was said to be “sore” afterwards.

It later emerged that the DUP had
written to him warning him not to go to the event.

The lord mayor
responded by saying: “My schedule will be set by the officers, by those who
invite me and on the advice, always, of the PSNI. So there may be some elements
within the DUP who wish to set my schedule for me but I’m not going to accept
that.”

The attack came amid heightened tensions in Belfast following the
Twelfth of July and in the wake of changes to the flag-flying policy at City
Hall.

It was condemned by politicians including the DUP while PSNI North
Belfast Area Commander Chief Inspector Andy Freeburn branded it
“appalling”.