Disappointment after rejection of Camlough Centre funding application

Newry and Armagh MLA Conor Murphy has said that there is great disappointment within the Camlough community at the failure by the Special EU Programme Body  SEUPB to support the application for a Peace Centre in the village.

Speaking to Newry Times, the local Sinn Féin MLA explained, “Six years of work has gone into the application for a Peace Centre for South Armagh.

“Newry Mourne & Down Council was the lead partner along with the Camlough Community Association and Altnaveagh House.

“I share the deep disappointment at this rejection of funding support. The SEUPB has poured significant amounts of capital into areas that were relatively peripheral to the ‘Troubles’ at the expense of areas that are still dealing with the legacy of the conflict.

He added, “Many people, myself included feel that  SEUPB continues to neglect the south Armagh region which has borne the brunt of 30 years of conflict.”

Sinn Féin’s Oonagh Magennis also spoke of her dismay at the news. “I am well aware of the diverse vibrant community and sporting activities that happen within the Camlough locality.

“This area, in particular, has been adversely affected by the conflict here in the North in terms of social and economic advancement, cross-community interaction and mobility and physical dereliction.

“Those involved with the Community Association have sought in partnership with others to create a Peace Centre in Camlough. The project intended to create an iconic mixed-use site on an existing and currently unused greenfield site in the village.

“Camlough is almost certainly one of the busiest village’s within the Slieve Gullion area, yet is the only village to have no community hub. This is a grossly intolerable situation which cannot be allowed to continue.

“People in the village will redouble their efforts to ensure a community facility is built and operational in the foreseeable future,” she added.

Meanwhile, Slieve Gullion area Councillor Róisín Mulgrew has confirmed that she has requested a meeting with Council Officials, the Camlough Community Association, and Slieve Gullion area Councillors to agree on a way forward.

“Our Council needs to ensure that we meet our responsibilities to the residents of the wider Camlough area to create a community centre.

“For too long the young people of the village have been left with no premises to have youth clubs while other sports clubs such as the boxing club are forced to continue with facilities which are not fit for purpose.”

The Sinn Féin representative continued, “There is also a clear need for services to be provided to our older residents, young parents and their families and of course for educational and training programmes.

“The lack of an appropriate community hub effectively excludes the Camlough community from accessing funding to be able to be able to deliver these services.”

Councillor Mulgrew added, “The Camlough Community Association is to be commended for their unwavering dedication and commitment to deliver a community hub.

“The onus is now on Council to now step up and deliver this hub which is crucial to the development of a cohesive, healthy, confident and vibrant community.”

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=65769

Posted by Newry Times News on Jan 14 2019. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry