DUP minister Gordon Lyons will not meet prominent Irish language group

A DUP Stormont minister who met the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) has refused to meet one of the Ireland’s oldest and most prominent Irish language groups.

Communities minister Gordon Lyons has faced criticism after he met members the LCC umbrella group on Tuesday.

Set up in 2015, it represents the UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando.

It voiced objections to an Irish language school in east Belfast during a recent meeting with DUP education minister Paul Givan.

Mr Givan has also refused to meet Conradh na Gaeilge.

The north’s main Irish language representative group, Conradh na Gaeilge, which was formed in 1893, said that the DUP has refused every request for a meeting sent since the executive was re-established in February.

Conchúr Ó Muadaigh, Advocacy Manager with Conradh na Gaeilge said “all of those requests have been to discuss important issues that have been outstanding”.

The DUP was contacted.

Mr Ó Muadaigh said his group has also contacted Mr Lyons requesting a meeting, which was refused.

“On this occasion, we wrote to Minister Lyons to discuss his intentions around the Irish language strategy which he has primary responsibility for, a strategy which has been outstanding for almost 20 years,” he said.

“The coming weeks will act a severe litmus test of DUP ministers and the broader executive, as we expect firm announcements on this Irish language strategy and the long overdue Irish Language Commissioner.”

A spokesman for the Department for Communities said Mr Lyons has met representatives from Forbairt Feirste, which it supports and cross-border group Foras na Gaeilge during his time as minister.

Since taking up office Mr Lyons has attended various events linked to the unionist community including those involving bands, Ulster Scots bodies, the Orange Order and museums associated with the British army.

Mr Lyons attended his first GAA event last month, just weeks after it emerged he had turned down invitations to attend two GAA events, including the All-Ireland final in July.