Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Saturday 17°CSunday 17°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
NewsPolitics

DUP ANGER OVER AFTER DERRY SCHOOL CALLS MARTINA ANDERSON ‘PAST PUPIL OF THE DAY’

written by John January 24, 2018
ShareTweet

A DERRY school has been criticised for featuring Sinn Féin MEP and former IRA woman Martina Anderson as its past pupil of the day.

She featured in a post on St Cecilia’s secondary school website with the hash tags #Aspire, #Endeavour and #Achieve.

But unionists reacted angrily to the school’s decision to portray her as a role model, calling her a “convicted and unrepentant PIRA terrorist”.

A DUP councillor said the school’s action was “ridiculous, shameful and shocking”.

Others accused the school of “glorifying” her.

Ms Anderson was a member of the Provisional IRA and was convicted of conspiracy to cause explosions.

She was in jail for 13 years before she was released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

Since then, she has played a leading role in Sinn Féin and took over as MEP from Bairbre de Brun in 2012.

On her Twitter feed on Tuesday, Ms Anderson shrugged off the angry messages.

“Sure if you didn’t laugh, you’d cry!” she said.

DUP MLA Gary Middleton tweeted: “There is nothing aspirational about an unrepentant terrorist.

“What hope is there for the future if schools have this as their role model?”

Tweeting about her old school, she said it was “great” and taught everyone to work together for equality.

However, in a tweet, DUP MLA Gary Middleton said there was “nothing aspirational about an unrepentant terrorist”.

DUP councillor David Ramsey said the decision to put her forward as a role model was “ridiculous, shameful and shocking”.

Others called it “unbelievable” and asked what message did this send out.

Ms Anderson tweeted: “@StCecilias_PE was and is a great school It taught us pupils to grow & to work together to build an equal, just & better future for young people today.

The school features Ms Anderson as one of a series of aspirational past pupils, all of whom have been given the same #Aspire hash tags.

A Sinn Féin spokesperson said the party “welcome the fact that the school has recognised former pupil Martina Anderson.

“Martina is a first-class public representative who achieved so much for so many.

“As an MLA, former minister and MEP she has worked hard in the interest of all citizens and is currently campaigning for special status for the north to remain within the European Union.”

The school was contacted, but did not comment.

DUP ANGER OVER AFTER DERRY SCHOOL CALLS MARTINA ANDERSON ‘PAST PUPIL OF THE DAY’ was last modified: January 24th, 2018 by John

Tags:
DerryDUP ANGER OVER AFTER DERRY SCHOOL CALLS MARTINA ANDERSON 'PAST PUPIL OF THE DAY'DUP COUNCILLOR DAVID RAMSEYDUP MLA GARY MIDDLETONMARTINA ANDERSON MEPSinn FeinST CECILIA'S SCHOOL
ShareTweet
John

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

38 mins ago

Boyce hat-trick sends Derry City into seventh...

9 hours ago

Dance company loses appeal over 100% annual...

11 hours ago

Unmissable music events coming to the Abbey...

1 day ago

New leaflet to help older people beat...

1 day ago

Man charged with possessing indecent images of...

1 day ago

Positive discussions with Transport Minister on NW...

1 day ago

Sadness as mother of girl (6) killed...

2 days ago

Two men in court after £1.2m cannabis...

2 days ago

‘Inaction on Foyle Bridge barriers and mental...

2 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025
  • Man charged with possessing indecent images of children

    July 4, 2025
  • Two men in court after £1.2m cannabis find near border

    July 3, 2025
  • Two charged over huge cannabis haul seized in North West

    July 3, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy