Cllr Frank McBrearty
Councillor Frank McBrearty has resigned from the Independent Grouping on Donegal County Council.
Earlier this week the Raphoe-based politician threatened to resign if his fellow councillors did not expel controversial councillor John O’Donnell from the grouping.
Despite the backing of some councillors, the majority of councillors did not respond to Cllr McBrearty’s call.
Cllr. McBrearty had set himself a deadline of 48 hours to act on his decision and put this in writing.
He outlined this in a letter to chairman of the independent grouping, Cllr Michael McBride.
Cllr McBrearty said he had been requested by Cllr. Michael McBride to hold off on any decision until Monday – due to the other Independents not responding to correspondence on the matter.
Cllr. McBreaty explained that Cllr Michael McBride’s casting vote as party whip means he has the power to expell Cllr John O’Donnell from the group and the committees given to him under the all inclusive deal.
Cllr. McBrearty added: “I will perform my duties as an Independent councillor and do my very best for the people that elected me. I will not be associated with Cllr John O Donnell when he clearly said he could get the backing of 25 to 30 other councillors. I am not one of these councillors and am making my position clear by taking this stand. I do not understand the reluctance of some councillors to support my decision but thats for them to decide.
“Every member will have the chance to stand up and be counted at January’s full council meeting by voting on my motion to have Cllr John O’Donnell taken off all committees and therefore giving him a message that we do not agree with his actions shown on the Prime Time programme or that accountabilty is sadly lacking on Donegal County Council as it is in Irish politics.”
