Northern Ireland council error hid support for Irish language street sign

Concerns raised by a Sinn Féin councillor over figures showing no support for a dual language street sign application in Co Fermangh have been confirmed as correct, after an administrative error was found.

Councillor Declan McArdle had expressed “disbelief” last month at results for Slieve View in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, which showed that of 53 households surveyed, no responses had been returned either for or against the application.

Under the present laws, applications are submitted for an additional language to be included alongside the English street name.

Council officials then survey all residents on the street, who are asked to complete a form indicating whether they support the application.

If 15 per cent of households respond in favour, it is approved.

Mr McArdle said he had canvassed the street personally and was certain responses had been submitted.

“I know in my heart and soul the responses were sent on time,” he told the council chamber earlier this month

“That’s a false reading. Anyone seeing that will say what’s the problem here? I know for a fact these were sent back - maybe not all, but there was definitely no problem in meeting the threshold.”

SDLP Councillor Adam Gannon had also described the Slieve View figures as “very strange”.

However, at the most recent meeting, Chief Executive Alison McCullagh confirmed that following a review, the figures were incorrect.

The error arose because two members of staff were working on the applications and each had assumed the other had processed the Slieve View data.

Ms McCullagh told members that 17 per cent of residents had in fact responded in favour, meaning the threshold was met.

The dual language signage will now proceed.