A SEIN Féin Mayor has come in for criticism from DUP councillors over a Christmas card containing a seasonal greeting in Irish.
Brenda Chivers sent a card with the words "Nollaig Shona" which translates as "Happy Christmas" on the front, along with a bilingual message inside.
The card was sent to the members of the Causeway Coast and Glens Council but has been branded "divisive" by one DUP councillor.
Speaking to the News Letter, DUP Alderman Sam Cole slammed the card’s use of an Irish greeting on the front as "not inclusive" and accused Chivers of "bringing politics into Christmas".
"It was in bad taste to send out a Christmas card using a divisive language, because that is what Irish has become, whether we like it or not," he said.
"We have no government in NI because Sinn Fein have put a red line down for an Irish language act. So to use it in an exclusive way, rather than inclusive, was a step too far in my opinion.
"Sinn Fein have been politicising the language and using it in this way does not exactly capture the spirit of Christmas."
Loving the @CausewayCouncil official Christmas 2018 card from the Mayor @BrendaMayorCCG featuring our own beautiful Dungiven Castle 🎁🎄🎅😘 pic.twitter.com/YzpFBRFYao
— Glenshane Com Dev Ld (@GlenshaneComDev) December 17, 2018
DUP North Antrim MLA Mervyn Storey and UUP councillor William McCandless have concurred with Cole’s criticism of Chivers Christmas card, accusing her of playing politics and showing favouritism.
Chivers has dismissed such criticism though, telling the Belfast Telegraph she has been left “disappointed” by some of the responses to the card.
"The cards are clearly bilingual so to claim they can’t be understood is nonsense. It’s also very disappointing that a gesture of goodwill should be met with such a response," the Sinn Féin councillor said.
“The Irish language is part of our shared history and culture on this island but, unfortunately, some still seem unable to accept that reality."
See More: Christmas Card, Sinn Féin
