DERRY City and Strabane District Council has deferred a decision to removed family memorabilia placed across the city by those bereaved by suicide.
The decision by the council’s Health and Communities Committee on Thursday has been welcomed by SDLP councillor Martin Reilly.
Cllr Reilly said: “The recommendation to the committee yesterday, which was proposed by Sinn Fein, would have seen Council workers take down such sentimental messages of hope from grieving families days before Christmas and without explanation.
“This approach would have been both deeply insensitive and unsuccessful as removed messages would have been immediately replaced.
“I understand the opinions of experts is that such symbols and messages should be removed, but the approach to achieve this being suggested yesterday was not the right one.
“I am glad that the proposal from Cllr Warren Robinson, which I seconded, to defer this recommendation until there is adequate and appropriate engagement across society was agreed as the way forward.
“The SDLP also made additional suggestions about how statutory agencies can best incorporate the genuine well intentioned civic actions of people who want to see those with mental health issues being positively assisted and supported,” he added.
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