Controversy erupts over decision to ban press from new Mayo 'community safety' forum

A VEIL of secrecy is being cast over Mayo's new Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP), which has replaced the former joint policing committee, stood down two years ago.

The long-awaited entity, designed to highlight and tackle law and order issues in the county, has controversially agreed to meet behind closed door without a media presence for all of its quarterly meetings this year except one.

The inaugural meeting, at which a chair and vice-chair were elected, was held without the local press being invited to cover the proceedings and the majority of its 20 or so members are happy for it to stay that way despite important issues of public interest being discussed in holding policing to account.

Crossmolina Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Loftus has been chosen to head the forum.

He defeated former Mayo senior police officer Tony Healy, who retired from the force in 2021 as the last dedicated chief superintendent for the county, in a ballot for the role.

Mr. Healy was elected unopposed as vice-chairman.

Now red flags are being raised over the media exclusion move.

Elected members of Mayo County Council appointed to the forum are split on the controversial decision.

Two Fine Gael members - Councillor Michael Burke and Councillor Alma Gallagher - are happy for it to remain in place ‘in line with national protocols’.

But Independent Councillor Michael Kilcoyne wants the chair, Councillor Loftus, to take a firm stand.

Former councillor and garda officer Christy Hyland said it does not make sense to ban journalists from covering debates on law and order issues at a time when there is already a worrying information vacuum about policing in the county.

"A committee like this one should have nothing to hide but the decision to exclude the media creates a public perception that there is.

"I am appealing to the chairman Councillor Michael Loftus to use the power at his disposal by lifting the media prohibition. It's ridiculous for a community partnership of this nature to be held in camera and such a precedent must be challenged."

He is supported in his views by Castlebar Independent Councillor Michael Kilcoyne who said the public has a right to know what is being discussed at LCSP meetings.

"Councillor Loftus needs to take the issue in hand immediately. While it may suit some people to hold the meetings in secret, such an approach does not serve the common good."

Fianna Fáil Councillor Al McDonnell, who served as chairman of the former Mayo Joint Policing Committee for ten years before its abolition, said there was never any problem with the media covering those meetings and journalists were always cooperative when matters of a sensitive nature needed to be discussed in committee.

"I cannot see why that approach cannot continue," he told The Connaught Telegraph.

Fine Gael Councillor Donna Sheridan, who was not in attendance at the meeting due to a prior engagement, told The Connaught Telegraph she will be seeking to have the press ban lifted as it sends out the wrong message.

However, two of her Fine Gael party colleagues, Councillor Michael Burke and Councillor Alma Gallagher, said they stood over the decision to exclude the press.

"Too many people used the former JPC for grandstanding in their own self-interest of grabbing newspaper headlines,” said Councillor Burke.

"The LCSP cannot be used for same reasons because the majority of members don't want to see that happening. The LCSP needs to be given the opportunity to grow and develop away from the glare of the media spotlight."

Councillor Gallagher concurred. "I accept the protocols put in place restricting media coverage because I would not like to see the partnership used as a political instrument," she stated.

It is understood the controversial direction has also the support of the Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, and it was outlined to newly-elected committee chairs at a special meeting in Dublin, leaving Fianna Fáil councillors in a challenging situation.

In any event, the life of the new partnership had got off to a very negative and unsettling start due to its controversial inaugural session in which transparency and openness are the victims in a county in which concerns over drug-related crime, anti-social behaviour and quality-of-life issues, along with the lack of policing resources, continue to grow.

Each of the 37 new LCSPs in Ireland have seven elected council members as part of its mandated membership. In addition, all local elected representatives, including Oireachtas members, will have opportunities to attend and participate in meetings of their local partnership.

Other relevant stakeholders includes An Garda Síochána, local residents, community representatives, business and education representatives and a range of statutory agencies, including the HSE and Tusla.

A LCSP is required to develop and implement its own tailored community safety plan.

Members must take a strategic approach to the work so that issues arising can be dealt with in a coordinated manner and addressed collectively by relevant service providers in partnership with the community.

Each LCSP is supported by a full-time coordinator and full-time administrator resourced by the Department of Justice.