Mayo cathaoirleach not to attend controversial commemoration event

THE cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council will not be attending the commemoration for members of the RIC and the Dublin Metropolitan Police for their work prior to Irish Independence.

The event is due to be held in Dublin Castle on January 17.

In a statement issued tonight, Councillor Brendan Mulroy outlined: "I will not be attending this event in Dublin.

"People can try to rewrite history but we can not forget our past.

"We owe it to to the people who have gone before us.

"This event is causing a lot of hurt for people so it would be in everyone's interest at this stage to call it off."