Northern Ireland council withdraws plan to honour Hercules Mulligan
Rory Carroll Ireland correspondent
A Northern Ireland borough council has withdrawn a plan to honour a Northern Ireland emigrant who played a key role in the American revolution after discovering he had owned a slave.
The Causeway Coast and Glens borough council decided last month to recognise Hercules Mulligan, who was born in Coleraine, County Derry, for his exploits during America’s war of independence.
The tailor spied on British officers in New York, reputedly saved the life of George Washington and mentored Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers. He was also a founder of the New York Manumission Society, which promoted the abolition of slavery,