Derry Or London-derry Court Case

The name of the main city of County Derry is more than just a name. Known as Derry if you consider yourself Irish and London-derry if you consider yourself British, The long standing row over who is officially right is now in the hands of the high court. The Derry council has taken their case to the high court in order to officially change the city's name to Derry. The Derry council wants the government to accept the Derry council's view that the name of the city is Derry, and not London-derry. The Department of the Environment has suggested such a change to the name would need a petition to the Sovereign. The name of London-derry was established only after the violent seizure of native Irish lands, in a Royal Charter granted by King James I in 1613. The prefix London was added in honor of those English merchants who had financed the savage war against the native Ulster Irish with the aim of seizure of all Irish lands.

373 years on, In 1984 the name of the once again Irish City was taken control by the Irish nationalist controlled council, who changed the name from London-derry to Derry. Despite the Derry Council and wishes of the majority of the Derry people, the city itself continues to be officially known as London-derry. British unionists have opposed dropping the London prefix and so have complicated the otherwise formality and democratic wishes.

Michael Lavery, QC, said the council's view was that the Royal charters establishing the city had been amended by, and were subject to, the provisions of local government legislation. "Consequently," he said, "when the name of the council changed to Derry in 1984 the name of the city established by charter changed and therefore it is unnecessary to petition the Sovereign in order to do so."

Bernard McCloskey, QC, for the DoE, said there was no government policy position or preference with regard to the correct title and he said it was questionable whether the council had made out a case for any change.

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Derry Or London-derry Court Case