Douncillor frank DurcanA BITTER political war of words erupted at a meeting of the Castlebar electoral area committee when council officials were being quizzed on the protracted closure of a public road and bridge near the village of Turlough.

Independent Councillor Frank Durcan became embroiled in a row with Councillor Henry Kenny when the Fine Gael representative defended the authority’s progress in respect of the controversial issue.

Councillor Kenny said the elected members had been told before Christmas that the council is not prepared to do ‘a Mickey mouse job’ on the bridge and it will take time to get the funding in place.Councillor Henry Kenny

 

But tempers became frayed when Councillor Durcan claimed there were sinister moves afoot to close the road permanently and he sought for an explanation from the Fine Gael party in regard to ‘what had they against the people of Turlough’.

When Councillor Kenny suggested Councillor Durcan had been a former member of Fine Gael, a loud verbal storm ensued.

Councillor Durcan told Councillor Kenny categorically it was ‘the Kenny party he left, not the Fine Gael party’.

He further elaborated it was a result of a falling out with Councillor Kenny’s brother, Deputy Enda Kenny, that he resigned his Fine Gael membership over 30 years ago.

Councillor Durcan claimed the council was failing in its civic duty by not expediting the bridge repair works.

He argued it did not surprise him because he regarded the council as ‘a corrupt planning authority’.

Councillor Durcan alleged the reason the local media did not report the details of his corruption claims was because advertising revenue would be withdrawn from them by the council.

“It is like we are living in pre-war Germany. There is no democracy. The officials won’t take any direction from us. Money might be scare, but there is no reason to treat Turlough in this manner. A similar problem in Burren was dealt with quickly a number of years ago.”

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne said he did not like criticising officials, but admitted finding it impossible to get things done.

“I won’t be brushed aside. We are three years trying to deal with this problem.”

Patsy Burke, senior roads engineer, said the suggestion there are sinister moves to close the road permanently is totally without foundation.

“An application has been lodged for funding and we are confident of being allocated funding. The work will be done eventually.”

Councillor Durcan said he could not understand why the council paid €50,000 to Galway-based consultants for a bridge assessment report a time where 196 technical staff members are employed by the authority.

“It’s time we started culling staff if they have not the ability to deal with a simple bridge repair project.”

Seamus Granahan, director of services, explained the National Roads Authority is not prepared to approve funding for such works unless the applications are accompanied by a certified consultant’s report.

In response to allegation by Councillor Durcan, he strongly refuted claims of planning corruption within the council.

Councillor Durcan said he is prepared to challenge Mr. Granahan in any public form in respect of his corruption accusations.

Councillor Eugene McCormack, chairman, told the meeting he had been handed a note from members of the media requesting Councillor Durcan to withdrawn his remarks that they would not public his allegations due to fears over the loss of advertising revenue.

Councillor Durcan said he had the height of respect for everybody employed in the media in Mayo, but he knew his assertion to be true in view of the closure of a free sheet in Castlebar a number of years ago due to its stance on Mayo County Council issues.

“My remarks were not meant as a reflection on the media. I hold the media in the highest regard.”

A flare-up then erupted between Councillor Blackie Gavin and Councillor McCormack during which the Fianna Fáil refused to sit down until the chairman allowed him to raise a matter arising from the minutes.

Argued Councillor Gavin: “I am fed up of the way Fine Gael is treated other party members both here at statutory meetings of Mayo County Council. We are not being allowed to raise anything.”

Councillor McCormack said there was no need for Councillor Gavin to raise his voice so loudly. As chairman, he made every effort to be fair to everybody.

Councillor Gavin issue related to a bridge in Glenisland that had fallen into disrepair. “Not a thing has been done since I first raised it,” he fumed.

Ann Sweeney, senior roads engineer, promised to have it examined and a report furnished to Councillor Gavin at the next meeting.

Councillor Kilcoyne said elected members wanted action, not reports.

When an air of calmness was eventually restored, members debated the need for a new swimming pool and leisure facility in Castlebar.