Donegal County Council proceedings were brought to a halt today on what has been described as “a very low day” for the county.
Gardaí were called to attend the adjourned January meeting in Letterkenny after Cllr Frank McBrearty refused to leave after two adjournments.
Cllr McBrearty consistently defied the suspension handed to him last week banning him from meetings for one month. The council orders related to repeated disorderly conduct displayed by the Raphoe councillor last Monday.
The council is now set to commence High Court action against Cllr McBrearty over his defiance of the resolution.
Four gardaí were present in the Aura Leisure Centre for a vote on the proposed action. However no garda action was taken.
Cllr McBrearty leaving the council after today’s vote
Cllr McBrearty repeatedly argued against the vote and videoed the events, repeating his allegation of “corruption” within the council.
Cathaoirleach Jack Murray commented: “Some of the things that happened outside of this meeting have been nothing short of appalling. I think it’s a very low day for Donegal County Council. Some of the things I have witnessed I never thought I would see happening in a democratically elected forum.
“It was conducted and carried out by one person and one person alone, everybody else in this room has handled themselves with dignity throughout the day.”
Donegal County Council, 7th February 2022
It is the second week that county council proceedings have been adjourned due to disruption. No items on the January agenda have been addressed as of yet.
Cllr Murray said that today’s vote was based on legal advice, in conjunction with the Chief Executive and all political groupings.
Independent councillors Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig, Ian McGarvey and Michael McBride all abstained from the vote. It was agreed that the Chief Executive would expressly authorise the commencement of proceedings in the High Court by the council against Cllr McBrearty, seeking all appropriate orders required to enforce the suspension for the period, including an order for the cost of those proceedings.
The council meeting was adjourned until Monday 21st February, 2022.
