THERE  was fury in the Fermanagh District Council chamber after a call to review a decision to support Brookeborough Elim Church in its application to acquire land owned by the Department for Infrastructure at Killarty Road, Brookeborough.

During a special meeting on February 8, members agreed to provide a letter of support however Sinn Féin Councillor Sheamus Greene was opposed as council had already supported a cross-community group in the area with plans for the same site

On February 11 the Chief Executive received a call-in request on the basis: “the decision was not arrived at after a proper consideration of the relevant facts and issues” and the matter was referred back to council.

At the latest meeting Councillor Greene stated: “Council policies need to be looked at. I believe the cross-community group lodged their letter through the relevant committee then through the full council and there was ample time for scrutiny.

"The letter from the Elim Church came in late on the evening of a meeting. That’s not how to run business. The cross-community group has long since campaigned and contacted numerous ministers and departments.

"It’s the only neutral area in Brookeborough and as far as I was concerned the community group went about business properly … We supported what I say is the only cross-community group in Brookeborough and I’m concerned the council would issue a number of letters for the one project.

"A lot of people in Brookeborough are quite put out by what happened.”

In response Councillor Victor Warrington, Ulster Unionist who proposed the matter, remarked: “If this involved a financial payout from council, yes that would have been a stronger argument, but there is absolutely no financial implications.

"I was contacted by the Elim Church about a letter of support. As we’d already issued one, which incidentally I also proposed, for the community group, I contacted the Chief Executive to see if there was any conflict in supporting two groups and I was told there was none.

"Councillor Greene says the cross-community group does good work, but so does the Elim Church.  All we’re doing is giving support to help both groups and I propose the original decision stands.”

Seconding, Councillor Paul Robinson, Democratic Unionist said, “The community group and the Elim Church do great work. I don’t see why we can’t back both.”

Alliance Councillor Eddie Roofe agreed stating: “If there were 10 different groups asking for letters of support then the answer is yes if we thought they were worth it. It’s not up to us to make the final decision. To not offer backing would be wrong.”

Councillor Robert Irvine, Ulster Unionist, told members:” We’ve had other items of business either that have been of an urgent or extreme nature with little or short notice. We have dealt with those effectively so this is not a precedent.

"Also, as Councillor Roofe said, why would we not officer multiple letters of support as long as they are not against Standing Orders, for organisations or communities? Expressions of interest to take over surplus land in another department that can be used for community by whatever organisations, is for the benefit of all … Ultimately it will be up to the department to decide which offers they take. It’s out of our hands. We’re only offering a letter of support.”

Councillor Greene reiterated the letter of support for the cross-community group and: “No matter what way anyone else puts it, this group were looking for this building to rejoin it to the stationhouse for seven or eight years. The Elim Church came at more than last minute.

"No matter what way we wrap it up there’s only one cross-community group in Brookeborough. There are a number of churches any of which could have requested this and I would have the same opinion. There’s only a very small neutral space in Brookeborough and it should only be filled by the cross-community group.”

However tensions rose when Ulster Unionist Councillor Mark Ovens  said: “I hope I’m wrong on this but I get the sense there’s quite an unpleasant undercurrent and I think we all know what that is. I’d welcome clarification that it’s not the case.”

Councillor Greene hit back: “Again, I’m absolutely disgusted with the Ulster Unionists. That’s typical of them. If anything Irish or GAA is ever mentioned they are the first ones to jump on the back of sectarianism.  I’ll call it out. It’s sectarianism and again they are trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes. I’ll not take that from the Ulster Unionist Party.”

The proposal for the original decision to stand went to a vote which passed 15 – 2,  with 12 abstentions.