A Sinn Fein councillor in Co Down has apologised for describing Bangor as a "s***hole" that she never again wants to visit.

Naomi Bailie, a former mayor of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, made the controversial remarks on Facebook after visiting the seaside town last weekend.

Ms Bailie is described on her party's website as a political adviser to Chris Hazzard MLA, who is seeking to win the South Down Westminster seat, which had been held by the SDLP's Margaret Ritchie.

Ms Bailie's Facebook post was made on the same day as junior Orangemen marched in Bangor.

She referred to encountering the disaster of a "KultureFest session".

In a post on Saturday afternoon, Ms Bailie wrote: "I will never in my life again go near that s***hole that is Bangor.

"Thought nice weather, ice cream, pop up market, I'll go for a wee walk here along the marina and have a look at the stalls…

"Disaster! What should have been a lovely day for everyone just turned into a KultureFest session! No surprise there then I hear you say! Well done Ards and North Down Council on yet another expedition of how not to do things for the whole community."

North Down DUP MLA Alex Easton last night condemned the remarks.

"I am shocked by Ms Bailie's comments on my home town and she needs to clarify her position," he said.

The comments I made earlier in the week about Bangor, were inappropriate and I withdraw them unreservedly.



Sending this now — Naomi Bailie (@NaomiBailie) May 31, 2017

"People in Bangor will find what she said insulting and offensive. Bangor is a wonderful place to live where people from all sorts of backgrounds and different communities get on well.

"I am horrified that a Sinn Fein representative holds such negative views of a beautiful town."

Ms Bailie has since apologised. She tweeted: "The comments I made earlier in the week about Bangor, were inappropriate and I withdraw them unreservedly. "

Ms Bailie (31) is one of Sinn Fein's most high-profile councillors in Co Down. She was seriously ill with meningitis late last year. She spent two months in hospital but returned to her husband Gerard and baby daughter Niadh in February.

Ms Bailie's remarks follow a recent controversial tweet by DUP South Down MLA Jim Wells, who said that Sinn Fein was not welcome in "unionist" Rathfriland.

Belfast Telegraph