Staff of Donegal County Council faced repeated attacks, abuse, threats and allegations over the purchase of five mica-affected homes in Buncrana, the council has heard.
An apology was made today to council staff and their families for the “hurt and pain” they endured off the back of allegations of corruption in relation to the five An Crannla homes. The allegations made by two elected county councillors have now been proven to be unfounded.
An independent report which clears the name of all council staff involved in the matter has been published this week.
A special meeting of the council considered the report today and heard that county council staff, elected members and the families living in the Buncrana homes suffered the consequences of the repeated allegations and media attention.
The report found that there was no attempt to conceal or cover up the fact that the five houses had Mica at the time of purchase in March 2021. The forensic review of council files found no documentary evidence of corruption, systemic corruption or corrupt behaviour.
The An Crannla homes were occupied by five families for 10 years prior to the purchase, but the lease was due to expire in January 2020. The council, according to Cllr Gary Doherty, prevented five families from becoming homeless by buying the homes.
Cllr Rena Donaghy said there was no other option: “Yes the houses have Mica but they are very good houses and will be able to be lived in for a long time.”
Chief Executive of Donegal County Council John McLaughlin acknowledged the impact of the scrutiny of Council staff over the past year. He said that those involved in the purchase process have been subjected to “repeated and unwanted verbal attacks at meetings, and abuse, threats and allegations by e-mail and social media”.
“This has occurred over a sustained period and has been done without any regard for the reputations of the individuals affected, the right to their good names and without due process or basic fair procedures of any kind whatsoever,” Mr McLaughlin said.
Mr McLaughlin said that staff cooperated fully with the review and he commended their continued professionalism and engagement with the process “which was undoubtedly extremely difficult and stressful on a personal level for the individuals concerned”.
“The level of public scrutiny and ongoing commentary on this matter has been of a nature that public servants would never expect in their day to day work. The stress and hurt is also felt by the family members of the individuals affected,” he said.
Employees of Donegal County Council and their families attended the meeting today in the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny as they heard comments from elected members on the report.
The meeting was adjourned by Cathaoirleach Liam Blaney on four occasions due to “continuous disruption” and numerous incidents of Independent Cllr Frank McBrearty “disrespecting the chair”. The meeting was eventually adjourned until Monday following a separate incident during an adjournment. Read more here: https://www.donegaldaily.com/2022/07/11/council-meeting-takes-chaotic-turn-with-alleged-phone-theft/
The distress caused to tenants of the An Crannla homes was also acknowledged today. Mr McLaughlin said he hoped that the unwanted attention for the families will now stop.
Cllr Paul Canning, Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen MD expressed his apologies to council staff and their families in Inishowen “for the hurt and pain they have had to endure through these faults and unfounded accusations.
Cllr Canning said: “This whole process was totally uncalled for, we know there was no corrupt behaviour, no corruption and no systemic corruption.”
He said that people have been to hell and back because of “innuendoes being bandied about.”
Cllr Canning said he would fully support staff if they wish to take the matter further.
Cllr Martin McDermott, chairman of the Donegal County Council’s Mica Redress Committee, said that he stands 100% behind the staff of Inishowen and the county. He said that the families of staff have suffered over the allegations too.
“That is very difficult for people that live in a community, that they feel they can’t even go to their own shop to get a litre of milk because they feel people are judging them for no reason,” Cllr McDermott said.
Cllr Jack Murray said that the “least we can provide as a council” was full backing of staff affected and access to legal services to clear their names.
Cllr Rena Donaghey called for the cost of the review and the many meetings on the matter, which she labelled as “tomfoolery” to be made known.
Cllr Frank McBrearty claimed there was ‘political filibustering’ ongoing and said he intends to take criminal prosecutions over the matter.
The independent report, created by BDO Ireland (BDO) with engagement from John T Garrett & Associates, Consulting Engineers, is due to be published on the council website.
