Looking around the Lodge Hotel in Coleraine, Co Derry, shortly before the “Safeguarding The Union” meeting began, most in attendance appeared surprised that so many others turned up on a grey February night. Extra chairs had to be brought in.
However much they disagree, be they evangelical Christians or the more socially-liberal, all want the union with Britain to continue and are frustrated with unionist politicians’ inability to make the case for it.
The idea for “Safeguarding The Union” came from Shankill Road conversations last year, involving Alfie McCrory, a loyalist, who pulled IRA bomber Sean Kelly out of the rubble of Frizzell’s fishmongers on Shankill Road,…