Nationalists forced to fund July 12 events

A NORTH Antrim local authority must stop using public funds to finance Protestant marching season bonfires, an Antrim residents’ group said yesterday during a visit to the Dáil.

Sinn Féin councillor Monica Digney said Ballymena Borough Council uses rate payers’ revenue to pay for prizes for the best bonfires during July 12 events.

Ms Digney, who won the first-ever Sinn Féin seat on the council in May, was part of a delegation of North Antrim residents who visited TDs yesterday to highlight sectarian attacks.