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Heartbreak over planning rejection

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Irwyn McKibbin (centre), chairman of Heartbeat-Ni, said he would be delighted if council changed its original decision. He is being backed on the issue by Mournes Councillors Henry Reilly (left) and Sean Rogers MLA.

COUNCIL has refused permission for a heart-shaped plaque in memory of children who lost their lives due to congenital heart disease in south Down.
Heartbeat-Ni Chairman Irwyn McKibbin said he was disappointed with Newry and Mourne Council's decision to refuse the plaque on a tree stump at Whitewater amenity area.
“All we wanted to do was to shape the tree trunk into the shape of a heart and place a small plaque on top of it as a memorial to those children who lost their lives due to congenital heart disease," he said.
“It wouldn't impact on the maintenance of the area, and while I understand the council's policy, I do think that an exception could be made in this case, as it is clearly a cross-community memorial.
“At present there is no memorial in Northern Ireland dedicated to children with heart conditions and as I am from the council area myself, I would be thrilled if the council were to change their decision on this issue," said Mr McKibbin.
Councillor Sean Rogers MLA said that while he understands the decision is council policy, he believes that the policy needs to be reviewed as a matter of urgency.
“Heartbeat-Ni is a charity which provides emotional and practical support to families of children with heart conditions. This plaque would serve as a little remembrance to those families who have lost a child, but also highlight the work of Heartbeat-Ni.
“When your child is ill you welcome moral support from anywhere - knowing that someone is thinking about you and your family means a lot.
“While another council area has agreed to erect this plaque, it is little solace for families from south Down who have experienced a child with a heart condition," SDLP Councillor Rogers concluded.
Mournes Councillor Henry Reilly says the area is losing out by not permitting the moving plaque.
“Here we have a request from a voluntary group that has done magnificent work for children with heart problems and is respected the length of the country but we have some very silly councillors digging their heels in on a policy issue to stop Heartbeat-Ni placing a simple plaque with children's names on a tree stump that could be made into a nice feature for the area.
“The council clearly needs to look at this issue again and stop causing unnecessary offence and concern to bona fide and hard working charities like Heartbeat-Ni. It is big government gone mad," said the UKIP representative.

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