McAleese helps to launch cross community plan
**Via Newshound
Carissa Casey
June 18, 2006
PRESIDENT Mary McAleese will join forces with UDA brigadier Jackie McDonald to launch a cross-community, anti-sectarian project in the Finaghy area of Belfast on June 29.
The Finaghy Crossroads Group (FCG), a 12-strong committee comprising former paramilitaries from both sides of the community, will unveil plans to cut sectarian attacks and promote Finaghy as a safe environment.
McDonald has offered the group his full support and will speak at the launch. McAleese has also accepted an invitation to attend.
Harry Smith, a former UDP councillor, who co-chairs the group with Stiofain Long of Sinn Fein, said that former prisoners were involved in the initiative because young people in the area often looked to them as role models.
“It’s about leading by example, showing young people they can have a positive impact on the community and create a shared space for everyone to access,” he said.
The FCG was formed out of contacts between Smith and Long six years ago at the height of sectarian tensions in the area.
About 6,000 people live in Finaghy, with almost equal numbers from both communities. Six years ago there were a number of vicious sectarian assaults and homes were burnt.
“There was a real concern that Finaghy crossroads was becoming a fully fledged sectarian interface where a peace barrier might become necessary,” said Smith.
“It’s a main thoroughfare through south Belfast. Children from five different schools across the religious divide come through the crossroads.”
The initial contact succeeded in reducing the tensions between the two communities. It took until 2004 before Long and Smith conducted the first face-to-face meetings. Following that it was decided that a cross-community group involving residents and community groups from both sides of the divide would be set up.
According to Long, the FCG is unique because it is a genuine grassroots initiative and not one that has been imposed by outsiders.
“It’s an inclusive process all along. We have former combatants involved because they can be role models within their community.”
While both men use representatives on the street to discourage young people from becoming involved in sectarian incidents, Smith denies that they act as vigilantes. “It’s about using common sense,” he said.
