McDonald - Town Hall Meetings on policing begin in Toome, County Antrim this afternoon
Sinn Féin Chairperson Mary Lou McDonald said that a series of town hall meetings will begin in Toome, County Antrim this afternoon as part of Sinn Féin's nationwide consultation and debate in advance of the Extraordinary Ard Fheis on policing on January 28th.
Ms McDonald said:
"Over the last week dozens of meetings have taken place across Ireland including internal party meetings and wider republican meetings with veteran activists and families of our patriot dead. These meetings will continue in the coming days.
"Today in Toome, County Antrim Gerry Adams, Gerry Kelly and Bairbre de Brún are beginning a series of town hall meetings which are open to the wider republican and nationalist community so that they can also engage in this debate. Martin McGuinness will address tomorrow's meeting in Lurgan.
The public meetings will be scheduled as follows:
Saturday 20th - Arby's, Toome, County Antrim at 2pm
Saturday 20th - Community Centre, Galbally, County Tyrone at 6pm
Sunday 21st - Ashbourne Hotel, Lurgan, County Armagh
Sunday 21st - Newcastle Centre, Newcastle County Downat 6.30pm
Monday 22nd - Canal Court Hotel, Newry at 7pm
Tuesday 23rd - Slieve Russell, Ballyconnell at 7.00pm
Wednesday 24th - Clonard, Belfast at 8pm
Thursday 25th - Millennium Centre, Derry at 7pm
"This issue is very difficult for many nationalists and republicans given their experience of sectarian and repressive policing. But I would encourage everybody to engage in this debate." ENDS