Jump to content

No Surrender Liam Neeson


ElBufalo20

Recommended Posts

OOFT. He must have got paid a good bit for that. He's a raging tim. He refused the freedom of Ballymena because of the way tims were treated when he was young. Apologies in advance for the long read.

 

Hollywood actor Liam Neeson has turned down an offer by his Northern Ireland home town to honour him.

In a statement through his publicist Neeson has said that the controversy which erupted in Ballymena, County Antrim, over plans to offer him Freedom of the Borough has made it "inappropriate" for him to accept.

He said: "Although I very much appreciate, and am greatly honoured by, the majority decision of Ballymena Council to offer me the Freedom of the Borough,

"I nonetheless believe that it would be inappropriate for me to accept in view of the stated opposition of some Members and the resultant controversy, which has already been extensively canvassed in the media.

 

 

Neeson read a poem on the album recorded to raise money for Omagh victims

"I will always remain very proud of my upbringing in, and association with, the town and my country of birth, which I will continue to promote at every opportunity.

"Indeed I regard the enduring support which I have received over the years from all sections of the community in Ballymena as being more than sufficient recognition for any success which I may have achieved as an actor."

Ballymena Council wrote to Neeson, who is best known for his starring roles in the Star Wars film The Phantom Menace, Schindler's List and Michael Collins, to offer him the Freedom of the Borough after a majority of members voted for the move.

 

 

The DUP wanted their leader Ian Paisley to be honoured

But councillors from Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party objected to the proposal because of alleged derogatory remarks Neeson made about his experiences growing up in the County Antrim town.

Neeson was quoted as saying in an American magazine last year that he felt "second class" as a Catholic growing up in the mainly Protestant town and felt he had to stay indoors during the loyalist July 12 commemoration of the Battle of the Boyne.

DUP councillor Maurice Hayes said he felt Ian Paisley and the now disbanded Ulster Special Constabulary should be honoured instead.

Speaking after Mr Neeson's statement he said the actor was right not to accept the freedom of the borough because public opinion in Ballymena was against the award.

But Ulster Unionist Mayor of Ballymena James Currie, who proposed the motion, said it had received majority support on the council and said he was "Ballymena's most famous son".

Link to post
Share on other sites

49 minutes ago, .Williamson. said:

Haven't seen it in years myself mate. I enjoy most things like that though even if they are shite :lol:

That the one the young taig (his brother) gets shot threw the window and he’s meeting the shooter 20 years on? If so it’s gash. @BridgeIsBlue

Link to post
Share on other sites

23 minutes ago, bluedylan said:

I posted about this today on film thread for me Neeson has chosen to sing that song deliberately as his character is a callous bastard and it is a not so subtle demonising of the PUL community

There is no way The Coen brothers would have known that song Neeson has suggested it

No bother Barry Norman

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Upcoming Events

    • 30 March 2024 15:00 Until 17:00
      0  
      Rangers v Hibernian
      Ibrox Stadium
      Scottish Premiership
×
×
  • Create New...