Donal Ó Cnaimhsí, a gardener in Glenveagh National Park in Donegal, was threatened with dismissal after he criticised the Government’s Gaeltacht Bill in his capacity as spokesperson for Guth na Gaeltachta.
The Irish language newspaper Foinse is reporting today that the Gaoth Dobhair man has now received a written warning and been told he cannot speak about it.
There was uproar from Irish language groups earlier this summer when news of planned disciplinary action was revealed.
Reacting to the Foinse article today, Senator Brian O Domhnaill said: “It is absolutely disgraceful the manner in which this young man is being treated by the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht.
“Mr.Ó Cnáimhsí is a Gardener at Glenveagh National Park and has no direct input whatsoever in Irish Language policy formation within the Department.
“The agenda being adopted by the Department is extremely questionable and represents an undemocratic silencing of an individual who has given much by way of voluntary contribution to the GAA, Local Community and in particular the Gaeltacht and the Irish Language.”
M Ó Cnaimhsí, who had been acting as spokesperson for Guth na Gaeltachta, wasn’t available for comment today.
But a friend said: “Even if you do get him, he won’t be able to speak to you.”
Foinse reports that lawyers are planning to use European freedom of expression laws to get the written warning quashed.
Foinse is out today, inside the Irish Independent.