Tributes paid to ‘remarkable woman’

Tributes paid to ‘remarkable woman’

25 August 2021

TRIBUTES have been paid to former DUP councillor Ethel Smyth, who died last week.

Mrs Smyth, who lived at the Ballywillwill Road, near Castlewellan, was a member of the former Down Council.

Initially elected to the local authority as an Ulster Unionist before defecting to the DUP, Mrs Smyth passed away last Wednesday. She was in her late eighties.

Her funeral service held last Friday afternoon in Castlewellan Presbyterian Church.

Originally from Ballymartin, Mrs Smyth was educated at St Louis’ Catholic Grammar School in Kilkeel before she later moved to Ballywillwill and was a high profile politician locally during the 1980s.

In 1985, during a council meeting where a ban on the flying of Union flags outside local authority buildings was discussed, the firebrand councillor took a Union flag from her handbag, unfurled it and draped it over the bench in front of her.

When Mrs Smyth refused to sit down, the police escorted her from the council chamber. As she was removed, she raised a clenched fist and shouted: ‘’We will never surrender to the IRA. Never, never, never.’’

Downpatrick-based photographer Bobbie Hanvey recalled being tipped off by Mrs Smyth that she planned to unfurl the flag during the council meeting.

“She told me she was taught by nuns and that’s where her rebellious streak came from,” he said.

She played a prominent role in an incident in 1985 when the RUC blocked the road into Castlewellan to prevent loyalist bandsmen from marching through the predominantly nationalist town. 

This led to violent clashes between loyalists and police, with Mrs Smyth subsequently appearing in Donwpatrick Court and being convicted of riotous behaviour.

Tributes have been paid to Mrs Smyth by a number of politicians, including DUP MLA Jim Wells, DUP councillor Billy Walker, Ulster Unionist councillor Alan Lewis, and TUV leader Jim Allister, who was her defence lawyer during her court appearance.

Mr Wells said: ”Ethel was a strong and fearless representative of the unionist community in an area where they were in a minority. “For someone who at one time was so visible and vociferous, she latterly chose to live a quiet life.”

Mr Wells said he knew Mrs Smyth for for over 40 years and remembers her as a “fearless Unionist voice on Down District Council”.

He continued: “Ethel also stood with the late George Graham and myself in the 1982 Assembly election and polled well, though she was not successful in gaining a seat. 

“It was not hard to understand why she consistently topped the poll in the Castlewellan/Newcastle/Dundrum area. She was a hard worker on behalf of her constituents and could be depended upon to take a stand on important political issues.

“It has to be remembered that there were very few women in local politics 40 years ago and Ethel broke the mould as it were as the first female unionist member of Down Council. She could certainly hold her own in debates with her male colleagues and was quick to raise issues of concern to her constituents.”

Mr Wells said while the former DUP woman retired from politics almost 30 years ago, she certainly made her mark.

“Ethel will always be remembered for leading the protests against the banning of a loyalist band parade through Castlewellan in 1985. The iconic image of her standing resolute in the middle of the town speaking to the large crowd holding her handbag is one that many still recall to this day. She leaves behind her devoted husband Bertie and and grown up children who can rightly feel proud of what she achieved.”

Describing Mrs Smyth as a “remarkable woman,” Mr Allister said her indomitable spirit and strong convictions made her a force to be reckoned with. 

“I will never forget defending her in Downpatrick Court after the Castlewellan Land Rover incident,” he recalled. “Sadly, few have her determination and strength of character today.

“At this difficult time I express sympathy to her husband Bertie and family. I trust they will know the strength and sustaining power of the God of all comfort.”

Cllr Lewis said he was “deeply saddened” to learn about Mrs Smyth’s death, describing her as a “woman of integrity and great dedication” who had much love for her community, former constituents and neighbours.

“Mrs Smyth represented the former Newcastle electoral ward which included Dundrum,Castlewellan and Ballywillwill with vigour and enthusiastic determination,” he continued.

“In her time, she was a beacon for loyalism which shone brightly during the dark days of the troubles. 

“Her name will remain through history as someone who stood firm, a formidable woman who paved the way for others and giving inspiration to many. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.”

Cllr Walker said that when he was a young loyalist, Ethel Smyth was one of the politicians he looked up to.

“I remember her on the former Down Council when times were hard and the Troubles raged. She fought the Unionist cause and after the Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed, I remember the photo appearing in the press of her unfurling the union flag in the council chamber.

“Ethel was highly respected across the Unionist community and, sadly, we will never see the likes of her again. At this sad time I extend my condolences to her family,” he added.