Donegal County Council’s July meeting reconvened online this afternoon following a heated fall-out on the Mica crisis.
Cllr Frank McBrearty was ordered to leave the plenary meeting at the Aura Leisure Centre this morning after being accused of disruptive behaviour.
Cathaoirleach Jack Murray sent all councillors home and moved proceedings online.
“The council will work at its best when we work together in harmony. Unfortunately I think that was breached today and regrettably made the decision to ask Cllr McBrearty to withdraw, and he refused, and that is why we are in these circumstances that we are in,” Cllr Murray said.
Cllr Murray said he sought legal advice on how to proceed, and was advised that Cllr McBrearty could join the meeting, and he was informed of this.
Independent Cllr Frank McBrearty did not attend the reconvened meeting.
Not all members expressed support for the Cathaoirleach’s decision.
Cllr Michael Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig (IND) left the afternoon meeting in solidarity with Cllr McBrearty. Before logging off, Cllr MacGiolla Easbuig said the decision to ask an elected member to leave the chamber was “disgraceful” and “totally out of order”. He said he was leaving in protest against the Cathaoirleach.
Cllr Michael McBride added that he felt democratically elected members should not be asked to leave a meeting.
“I don’t think personal clashes should stop the rest of us, we want to get the business done for the people that elected us,” Cllr McBride said.
Sinn Féin Cllr Gary Doherty spoke in support of Cllr Murray’s actions.
Speaking to Cllr Murray, Cllr Doherty said: “I want to express my own support, and I’m sure the support of the majority of the other members, to yourself. The last number of council meetings have been made extremely difficult and it’s regrettable in the extreme that you’ve had to take the measures that you did this morning. I think that you were left with no other option as the business of the council, in both July and September, must be concluded for the good of the council and the people of Donegal that we represent.”
The July meeting of Donegal County Council concluded this afternoon. Following this, members proceeded to matters which were on the agenda for September.
