University challenged over Sinn Fein ‘equality and inclusion’ advisor

Highlighting a number of occasions when Cara McShane has circulated material relating to commemorations for IRA members, TUV leader Jim Allister has written to the vice Chancellor, asking what message the university is sending to victims of IRA violence.

In one message on Twitter, Ms McShane defends a fellow Sinn Fein councillor’s attendance at a memorial event for two IRA men shot dead by the SAS.

She tweeted: “We are all equals. We have a right to honour and remember our dead”.

In his letter, Mr Allister also refers to the promotion of other commemorations.

He said: “How can the entire student body and wider public have confidence in such an appointment, particularly given that Councillor McShane is on record as defending IRA commemorations and describing members of that murderous terrorist organisation as ‘our dead’ and promoting commemorations of other IRA terrorists, including one for the murderer of young Ballymena mother, Yvonne Dunlop.

“As an employer do you not have a social media policy for staff and, if so, does it permit such a divisive and partisan social media presence by an employee, particularly one employed as an equality and inclusion officer?

"What message does it convey, particularly to victims of IRA violence or the relatives of someone who has suffered at the hands of the Provisional movement, that the university retains such a person of partisan public views in such a post?”

Mr Allister added: “Where was Yvonne Dunlop’s right to equality when she was burned to death in her shop?”

A Sinn Féin spokesperson said: “This is the latest attack by a unionist politician on a nationalist for their involvement in academia. There is no role for political interference in appointments to university bodies.

“Jim Allister needs to realise that he will not dictate where people can and cannot work. Cara McShane has worked to promote equality, diversity and inclusion at Ulster University for several years, and will continue on with that important work.”

Ulster University has not yet responded to a request for comment.