A farmers’ advice event in Co Down has had to be rescheduled to a different venue after the hotel, which was due to host it, received a threat from a local unionist group.
The community event was due to take place on Tuesday night at the Kilmorey Arms Hotel in Kilkeel to provide advice to farmers on farm payments.
The main speaker at the event was to be a representative from the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise.
However, a loyalist group contacted the local business highlighting the involvement of a local Sinn Féin councillor in its organisation.
The email to the hotel, which was sent from a group describing itself as the ‘Kilkeel Unionists Club’, said the group wanted to “maintain peace and harmony” in the local area.
“It has come to our attention that a meeting is due to be held at your premises,” it said.
“We are aware that this meeting is to be held by Sinn Féin, the political wing of the IRA, who murdered and butchered residents in our community.
“We aim to maintain peace and harmony in our communities, not wanting any harm to come to your business financially because of the actions of republicans in the past.
“We are giving you an opportunity to cancel this event at your premises.
“If not we will be going public with this information.”
Following the email correspondence, the hotel informed organisers they would be unable to host the event. It has now been rescheduled to a nearby venue.
Sinn Féin councillor and local farmer Michael Rice said he had been asked to help organise the event alongside the local heritage trust and that it was not a political event. He said similar meetings have been held regularly at the same hotel without any trouble for years.
Cllr Rice described the email as a “sinister threat” and “blind sectarianism”
“It is extremely disappointing that this event was cancelled in the original venue we had booked where farmers could come to listen to important information from a respected expert.
“I am disappointed that we have been refused use of this facility at the last minute due to a sinister threat.
“I believe it is time we all stood up against these bad actors in this town who only reflect a tiny and narrow-minded minority, who want to drag this community back to the dark days of the past.
“The event planned was an information night for farmers in South Down. It was an opportunity to hear about the different schemes and subsidies available, and for farmers to ask questions about how to avail of this. Something we should have more often.
“The opposition to this event can only be described as blind sectarianism.”
The Kilmorey Arms Hotel has been contacted for comment.