DUP councillor suspended over comments on kids’ GAA tournament

A Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) councillor who made comments about a kids’ GAA tournament that he mistakenly believed to be named after an IRA hunger striker has been given a three-month suspension by the standards watchdog.

Clement Cuthbertson, who sits on Mid Ulster District Council, faced a hearing of the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner (NILGC).

It centred on comments he made three years ago about the Francie Hughes Memorial Tournament, named after a former chair of the club.

The commissioner said the post, made on Facebook, was “inaccurate, unacceptable and offensive”.

Cuthbertson had posted on social media that the GAA “continues to idolise convicted terrorists”, believing the tournament to be named after one of 10 men who died on hunger strike.

The post was later deleted after he was informed about the mistake.

In his findings, adjudication commissioner Ian Gordon said when given the opportunity to “express regret about his actions”, the councillor took “no steps” to clarify his post or apologise to Mr Hughes’ family or other councillors.

A hearing took place on Wednesday to determine whether the councillor had breached the code and to determine a sanction.

The commissioner found he had breached two parts of the code, “showing respect and consideration for others” and that he had brought his role as councillor into disrepute.

However, the ruling added that Cuthbertson had “no previous history” of breaching the code and had co-operated with the investigation process.

The DUP has been approached for comment.