In one of its final acts, Newry and Mourne Council has controversially voted not to change the title of a children's play park named after an IRA hunger striker - despite advice from the Equality Commission that it should reconsider.

Last year the council was criticised for naming the park in Newry's Patrick Street after republican Raymond McCreesh, who died on hunger strike at the Maze Prison in 1981.

Unionist councillors objected to a children's park being named after a man who had convictions for attempted murder and possessing guns.

The Equality Commission said the decision went against the council's equality scheme and had recommended that it be reviewed. It also said it should keep in mind the desirability of promoting good relations when naming facilities.

The park was originally named after McCreesh in 2001, and the council voted to retain the name in December 2012.

Several SDLP councillors originally voted for the park to be named after McCreesh. But party leader Alasdair McDonnell later said that his party regretted any "hurt and distress" caused by their support for the park name.

Only one SDLP councillor turned up at a special meeting of the council to discuss the naming of the play park last night - and he abstained from the vote.

The decision to retain the name passed with the support of Sinn Fein - the biggest party with 14 councillors. Unionist members voted against retaining the name.

Last night Ukip councillor Henry Reilly told the Belfast Telegraph that he could not believe Sinn Fein was still insisting on the play park name. He revealed that several victims of IRA violence made "heart-rending appeals" against naming it after McCreesh during a consultation.

Unionists are considering taking a judicial review of the decision, he added.

Ulster Unionist councillor David Taylor said the decision was insensitive to victims.

He said the UUP "will be exploring every legal avenue possible to prevent the name of Raymond McCreesh Park remaining".

"I'm not surprised by the position Sinn Fein took on this issue, but it does serve to highlight once again the continuation of a grubby campaign by republicans to promote a warped version of history in terms of trying to glorify the sickening violence which was inflicted upon the people of Northern Ireland by terrorists such as McCreesh," he said.

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Raymond McCreesh was an IRA prisoner who died in 1981 aged 24 after 61 days on hunger strike at the Maze Prison. From Camlough in south Armagh, he had convictions for attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, possession of firearms with intent to endanger life and IRA membership. Unionists objected to a children's play park on Patrick Street in Newry being named after him.

Belfast Telegraph