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CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House, 61 – 67 Donegall Street, Belfast BT1 2QH

 

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release 16 April 2007

 

                                                                                                                           

Bishop of Cork Appeals for an end to
Picketing of Church of Ireland Church

 

The Right Reverend Paul Colton, Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, has appealed for an end to picketing at the Church of Ireland Church in Glanmire County Cork during times of public worship.

 

Bishop Colton said:

“While I fully recognise the legitimate right of any interested party to oppose a planning application – in this case Vodafone’s application to install a mobile phone transmitter internally in the tower at Rathcooney Parish Church in Glanmire village, County Cork – I also defend the right of anyone to embark on an application for planning permission.  Such a process is currently under way and affords members of the community the opportunity to make submissions.

“I am greatly disturbed, however, that pickets have been placed on our church in Glanmire during times of public worship.  This has caused great distress to the small, but committed, group of parishioners, which includes children and the elderly.

“The proper forum for objections is the current planning process.  I appeal, therefore, for an end to picketing of public worship and respectfully request those who wish to make their views known to do so through the on-going planning process.”

 

Ends                                                                                                   

Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland House
61-67 Donegall Street
Belfast BT1 2QH

 

Tel: (028) 9023 2909
Fax (028) 9032 3554  

Janet Maxwell: (duty phone) 00353 (0) 87 948 4412