Sinn Féin: We haven't blocked the naming of flyover after Guerin
Sinn Féin have denied that they blocked any proposal to name the new Newland’s Cross flyover after Veronica Guerin.
The crime journalist was shot dead by criminals linked to a drugs gang near Newlands Cross in 1996.
Labour had suggested the bridge be named after the late journalist. Yesterday, however, Veronica’s brother Jimmy Guerin wrote to South Dublin County Council asking that the proposal be withdrawn following some controversy on the issue.
Yesterday, SF councillor Jonathan Graham, in a statement issued by the party, said naming the flyover after one victim of gangland violence would exclude the memory of others.
"My own view was that as there are many families from Clondalkin who have lost loved ones from gangland violence we didn’t want the Council to been perceived as focusing exclusively on one family to the exclusion of others," he said.
"There was also a strong view from many Councillors that if we were to name the bridge we should consult with the local community before any decision was taken."
It had been reported that Sinn Féin councillors had expressed opposition to the idea, but the party insists that is not the case, and no particular view has been taken.
Sinn Féin Councillor in Clondalkin, Eoin O’Brien, said the topic was never even discussed.
"There was a proposal to name the bridge ... [with] a range of views from all parties - there was no agreed position within any political party," he said.
"What we decided to do was refer it to a transportation strategic policy committee. At no stage did [we] take a position not to name the flyover after Veronica Guerin - or another person - because there was never actually any discussion of that."
