Frank McBrearty
OUTGOING Donegal Mayor Frank McBrearty has thanked the people of County Donegal for their support during his year in office, but cast doubts over whether he would continue in politics.
Cllr McBrearty, a member of Labour, said many of the highlights of the year included the visit to the county by the FAI led by Ireland manager Giovanni Trappatoni.
Cllr McBrearty said another honour was meeting the family of the late Tip O’Neill on their return to Inishowen.
He paid tribute to previous mayors Cora Harvey and Noel McBride for their groundwork on several issues, including the diaspora projects.
Cllr McBrearty had dedicated his year to promoting Mental Health in the county, often through sporting events.
He said he had never experienced the atmosphere like that witnessed on the night All-Ireland Champions Donegal were honoured in the chamber.
The outgoing Mayor paid glowing tributes to all the council staff for their hard work over the year.
He said the valuable links built up over the years with Boston
Cllr McBrearty said that “whether I continue in politics or not” he had tried his best “to keep the peace” and admitted that there had been “many heated exchanges” over the record-breaking time it took to set the budget.
He thanked Fianna Fail for their cooperation through the year.
He also said he wanted to reflect on his time after becoming First Citizen years after being “arrested for a crime that didn’t happen.”
He wanted people who had suffered injustice to take inspiration from his journey, said Cllr McBrearty.
He paid tribute to his wife Patricia for all her hard work over the year.
“I love my wife; I love my family and without family, you are nothing,” he said.
Party leaders from all the groupings paid tribute to the outgoing Mayor for his work over the year.
Sinn Fein councillor Mick Quinn said Cllr McBrearty had remained independent and paid tribute to his “exceptional courage” in his work on mental health issues.
Cllr Ciaran Brogan said his 11 party councillors, representing 38% of the vote, had been excluded from the power-sharing in the chamber.
However he said Mayor McBrearty had worked to represent all the people of Donegal during his year in office.
Cllr Ian McGarvey, who is expected to be Mayor later, paid tribute to Cllr McBrearty and joked: “Maybe the new man could do with the work of your wife if she’s being made redundant.”
Deputy Mayor Martin Farren said he had been honoured to be Cllr McBrearty’s “side-kick” over the year. He paid tribute to staff and members for their support for the year.
“I know you won’t leave politics. It would be a very sad loss if you do,” he said.
County Manager Seamus Neely said the Mayor had been sincere in all his work throughout the past 12 months.
“There have been hundreds of events and many many presentations and they have all required a huge effort,” said Mr Neely.
“You approached everything with a genuine and honest intent at all times. ”
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