By Marianne Craig
A row is set to erupt at a meeting of the local council this afternoon over the inclusion of flags and emblems at the St Patrick's Day parades.
They have always been banned from the council-run parade in Derry but had been a feature of the Strabane parade, which until this year was run by the local community.
However, Derry City and Strabane District Council has funded this year's parade in Strabane and implemented the flag ban on the basis it is a 'family friendly cross community event'.
Commenting, Sinn Fein Councillor Karina Carlin said plans to remove the flags and emblems have caused hurt and upset. And she will today propose a motion to overturn the ban council wide.
The motion will come before a special meeting of council to be held at the Guildhall later today where the rates will be struck for the coming year.
However, UUP Councillor Alderman Derek Hussey says the ban on flags must stay if the event is to be 'non-partisan'.
(For full story, see today's paper.)
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