Members of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have paid moving tributes to Queen Elizabeth II and with the ending of one era, hailed King Charles III as his reign and a new era begins.

The Regeneration and Community Committee was the first council meeting to be held since the Queen passed away on 8 September at her Balmoral estate in Scotland.

 

Chair Councillor Mark Buchanan said it was: “Appropriate to bring a tribute and express our condolences to His Majesty King Charles III and the Royal Family on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The news came as a great shock to many as just previously we saw the Queen welcome the new Prime Minister at Balmoral. Queen Elizabeth was the longest reigning British monarch and for many of us, the only Queen we have ever known. She served with commitment, dedication and took a keen interest in Northern Ireland, having visited over 20 times including our main towns of Enniskillen and Omagh. The Queen has left a lasting legacy which safe to say we will not again see the like of in our lifetime. She was committed to peace and reconciliation and was an inspirational role model.”

Councillor Buchanan continued: “In her 2014 Christmas message, the Queen said, ‘Christ’s example has taught me to respect and value all people of all faiths and none.” Her strong Christian faith undoubtedly guided her throughout her 70 year reign. While the Queen was much a public image, we must realise she was a mother, grandmother and great grandmother and there is a family in mourning, so we send our sincere condolences. We acknowledge this is a period of transition and a new reign has begun. We pay tribute to His Majesty King Charles III and pray he knows God’s guidance as he takes on his new roles and responsibilities. God save the King.”

On behalf of Sinn Fein’s Councillor Tommy Maguire said: “I wish to pass on our condolences to the family of Elizabeth II. Recognising our distinct and differing traditions, we cannot but acknowledge her historic reign and indeed in recent years her significant contribution to encouraging reconciliation and support for the Good Friday Agreement. Her historic handshake with Martin McGuiness and her simple gesture locally of walking across from St Macartin’s to St Michael’s will always be remembered. Both these deeds gave the opportunity to those who sincerely seek a last peace to engage with others that would not have seemed possible before. We also acknowledge the sorrow felt by our citizens of the unionist and British tradition. We look forward to the continuation of the positive efforts she made to the advancement of peace and reconciliation between the different traditions on our island.”

Councillor Victor Warrington, Ulster Unionist stated: “The death of Queen Elizabeth II was met with much sadness by the vast majority of the population of Northern Ireland. She was an individual who for 70 years as sovereign, was committed to the role that was placed on her from such a young age, which she carried out selflessly for all the people of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and indeed around the world. I know not everyone recognised her as the Head of State, but nevertheless she was prepared to reach the hand of friendship across the political divide to help achieve peace in Northern Ireland. We must also remember the Queen was a mother, grandmother and great grandmother and we sent deepest sympathy from the Ulster Unionist Party grouping.”

Democratic Unionist Council Errol Thompson thanked council chair Councillor Barry McElduff for opening Books of Condolences: “To allow the rest of us in this district to express sympathy to the Royal Family at this time. On Thursday evening 8 September 2022 we, like so many others, were deeply shocked and very sorry to learn of the passing of our highly respected, long-serving Monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96. She was a great servant having given quite literally a lifetime of service to the United Kingdom and wider Commonwealth for over 70 years. Most of all, she was a beloved wife to the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, a beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother. On a personal note, my wife Elaine and I have good memories of being in the presence of Her Majesty and meeting Prince Philip on the occasion of the official opening of the South West Acute Hospital in June 2012. We will never forget that important event. Her Majesty was also my boss for a long number of years when I was a serving solider in Northern Ireland, working to bring peace and stability – a role she was very supportive of. You can see the fruits of he labours to this day.”

He concluded: “Ma’am, we say thank you for service and devotion. We as a country mourn your passing. On behalf of the Democratic Unionist Party grouping I express deepest sympathy to King Charles, the Queen Consort and the Royal Family at this very sad and difficult time, God save the King.”

Independent Councillor Josephine Deehan said: “This is not a time for discussing the value of the monarchy, nor for debating the constitutional question. It is a time to pay tribute to someone I regard as being an exceptional lady and a role model for me, particularly in my public life. I was aware of Her Majesty’s failing health, but I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of her death. It’s true to say, her passing evoked great shock, grief and regret, not only in the United Kingdom but throughout the world. Queen Elizabeth was widely regarded as an exceptional person and someone who fulfilled her role as a monarch with great dignity, a sense of duty and fulfilling her responsibilities, commitment, and energy. To give 70 years of service was a remarkable record. The fact she was receiving the new Prime Minister 48 hours before her death, attests to her commitment to serve her people for the duration of her life. I have admired her strong Christian faith and we saw in our own island, her remarkable actions. She was a woman deeply committed to peace, reconciliation, forgiveness and building new relationships. It is my deepest hope that the work Her Majesty was so committed to, goes forward as a lasting tribute to her extraordinary life. I express my condolences to King Charles III, the Queen Consort and the Royal Family, and indeed to all who mourn the Queen’s passing.”

Speaking on behalf of the SDLP, Councillor Mary Garrity told members: “We offer our sincere condolences to everyone mourning and grieving the loss of Queen Elizabeth. She has been a devoted servant over many years but behind all that we forget she was a much-loved mother and grandmother, with all the different day-to-day roles she played within her family unit. We prayed for Queen Elizabeth at Mass in our village vigil on Saturday night and Sunday morning, where the Canon referred to the Queen as: ‘A lovely lady, who loved Ireland and was indeed a peacemaker.; I don’t think I can sum it up any better than that. God bless the Queen and her family as they go through this difficult time.”

Concluding, council Vice-Chair Allan Rainey thanked the Chair Councillor McElduff: “For affording me the opportunity to accompany the Chief Executive to St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast for the service of reflection and thanksgiving for Her Majesty the Queen, and to be there when our King and Queen Consort were welcomed. It was a very touching and emotional service and I was delighted to have that opportunity and I am indebted to the Chair for that.”

Referring to his MBE presented by the Queen, Councillor Rainey continued: “I am wearing my jewel and Her Majesty’s fingerprints are on it. She was well-briefed in her subject that particular day. It was a short time after the Omagh bomb and she certainly put me at ease when she talked so freely about it and wasn’t afraid to ask me questions and engage me in conversation. I bring condolences to the Royal Family and wish the King well in his reign. God save the King.”